WAIRARAPA VALLEY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11879, 15 January 1914, Page 4

WAIRARAPA VALLEY.

Even people who have resided in this district for years, but have only travelled back and forth by the railway, fail to recognise the extent of the Wairarapa valley and tho possibilities of the district. Here we have acres upon acres of splendid, well-watered flats.

Tho soil is good, the seasons are generally favourably, and the land is within a few miles of Wellington. Someone might say what more can we ask? Well, wo can and do want something more. Between this fertile valley and its seaport—Wellington —a monster, in the shape of the Rimutaka hill, has raised its evil head, and seeing that we cannot rid ourselves of that monßter, we advise that a way should be found to render it harmless. When the railway was first constructed to connect the plains of Wariarapa with Wellingtno, a masterpiece of folly was perpetrated in the present Rimutaka incline. For years we have suffered because of this, but why should wo suffer any longer than is necessary? We havo been told that the Wairarapa is asking too much at the hands of the Government, and statistics have been quoted to show us that our district is stagnant, and that better railway facilities would only mean an added burden to the State. But we know better. It is not only the Wairarapa of to-day wo want catered for. Consider tho latent possibilities of this extremely fertile district. Tho vast expanses of country not yet properly opened up , aud tho increased activity likely to be brought about by a closer market and cheaper freights. Figures and words cannot daunt the people of Wairarapa, who know .the possibilities of the district, and know that their demands for better railway communication are just demands.