THE HAMILTON BRANCH RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1360, 19 March 1881, Page 2

THE HAMILTON BRANCH RAILWAY.

The Chairman of the Hamilton Highway Board has written the following letter to the Minister for Public Works :—: — Sir, — As the Government have decided to close the Hamilton Branch line for the present, for purposes of economy, may I most respectfully suggest that the same may be sold by public auction at once in Hamilton at per month, or until such time as the Government may wish to resume running the trains. The closing this line will prove a great inconvenience to the public who h*ve heavy goods to transport, and aa the winter season is approaching, it will necessitate a large expenditure to keep the road in a fit state to carry the traffic. If the Government cannot see their way to adopt this suggestion, I would respectfully request, on behalf of the Board, that the Government provide the money necessary to keep this road in repair ; for allowing that the closing the line will be a saving to the Government, it will be done at the expense of the local bodies, namely of this Board and the Hamilton Borough, and in the present condition of the Boards finances, they are not in a position to undertake this work. It will be an expenditure they have made no provision for in allotting the outlay for the several portions of their district at the beginning of their term of office. Moat of these works are completed and when fully so, this Board will be without funds, Trusting the Government will give these suggestions a favorable consideration, I have, &c, Samuel Steele, Chairman, H.H.B.