MANAWATU.
TO THE EDITOR OF THB IKDEPBNDBNT. Sib, — I see by the Manawatu correspondent's letter to the Independent of tie 20th February, he makes a statement that the newly* arrived emigrants are to be employed in laying down a tramway from Palmeraton to Foxton, and that it will do more to develope the upriver country than any other line, as it will run over thirteen miles of light sandy ground, on which it would be impossible to make a good cart road. Now, Mr Editor, we, who are settlers in this upper district, do not look on a tramway as the best means to develope the resources of this and the surrounding districts. Even a tramway from Palmerston to Ngawhakena at present would, to say the least of it, be premature, and to Foxton simply ridiculous. As well propose to take a tramway to the tail of the next comet. A tramway from Ngawhakena to Foxton, a distance of sixteen miles, would at the least cost £5000, and miles of that distance run through drift sand, and is, therefore, unfit for a tramway, unless at an enormous cost. The trams would require to be laid some four or five feet abovt the ground, to allow the sand to pass under them ; or to be completely boused in. Any penon passing along the new road that was opened to Foxton about two months ego will see that this is correct. In many places the land has drifted on to the road from four to five feet deep, ren* dering it all but impassible for light drays. The same thing would ocour on a tramway, making it altogether useless for traffic. • It ia to be hoped that before the Government enter upon such an undertaking as a tramway from Palmerston to Foxton, they will well consider how it is to pay interest and working expenses, as wo are an importing not an exporting community, and likely to be so for some time. In my next I will endeavor to show that the only way whereby -the resources of this end the adjoining districts oan be properly developed is by direct- water communication between Ngawhakena and Wellington.— l am, &o, A Bubhuak. Upper Manawatu, 27th Feb.
MANAWATU.
Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3139, 4 March 1871, Page 2
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