RIMUTAKA DEVIATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11976, 13 May 1914, Page 6

RIMUTAKA DEVIATION.

OPPOSED BY COUNTY CHAIRMAN FAVOURED BY OTHER COUNCILLORS. "I am not in favour of the immediate deviation of the Bimutaka incline," said Cr Welch at the Masterton County Council meeting yesterday afternoon, when thanking the Council for having appointed him as their representative at tho conference which is to be held in Wellington to discuss matters of im•portanco to the Wellington Province. "I admit the .Rimutaka deviation must come sooner or later. It is proposed to spend £f>oo,ooo on tho deviation, but I would point out that there are vast tracts of country without roads, and I consider that the £500,000 could bo spent to better advantage on providing roiuls in these localities than on the deviation. The question is whether wo are, going to allow these Chambers of Commerce to pull us by the heels. , ' Cr Welch stated that another matter which the conference at Wellington would discuss was tho proposal to ask the Government to take over the main roads. The Counties' Conference, said Cr Welch, had fought the proposal before, and would continue to do so. At the Chambers of Commerce Conference he must vote, against this proposal, and also the spending of half v million sterling on the Rimutaka deviation. Cr Welch referred to the pressing demands which were continually made on the Government for money for providing roads in the backblocks. "1 admit that the Rimutaka deviation must come," concluded Cr Welch, "but at the present time I consider that it is far more important to provide roads for those settlers in the backblocks." Cr Cross favoured the deviation of the Bimutaka line, and considered that such a deviation would bo beneficial to the whole of the settlers in Wairarapa. If the deviation were carried out the saving in haulage would pay the interest oil the £500,000. Cr I'ntohett also spoke in favour of tho deviation. Cr Foreman: "I was against the Council being represented at the conference. I object, to the Chambers of Commerce pulling us by the heels. It is a wrong tiling to do." Cr Cross protested against Cr Welch voting against the Rimutaka deviation at the conference. Other councillors stated that they were prepared to leave the matter of representing the Council at the conference in the hands of Cr Welch with confidence. It. was decided to give Cr Welch a free hand at the conference.