THE PROPOSED RAILWAY THROUGH THE THAMES VALLEY AND PATATERE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1422, 13 August 1881, Page 2

THE PROPOSED RAILWAY THROUGH THE THAMES VALLEY AND PAT ATE RE.

A Gentleman who is thoroughly acquainted with, the whole of the iaterior, furniahea oar Auckland contemporary with the following respecting this line : — " The railway would have for its commencement the Thames -Waikato line at the important point known as Morrinsville, aud traversing the whole of the upper valley of the Thames to Papapa, and thence to Rotorua. The proposal is certainly calculated to impress the public mind with the necessity of taking immediate action, with the view of bringing 1 iuto prominence those vast and fertile territories which, from their present all but inaccessible position, are known only to a comparatively small portion of the community. There could be no better moans adopted to show the desirability of the line already alluded to than by commencing at Hamilton and describing the country abutting on both sides of the proposed line. At present the main trunk lino for the Northern Island can be said to terminate at Hamilton ? Waitara, and Masterton respectively, and between these points are extensive blanks. A line is at present under construction from Hamilton to Te Aroha (the head of thenavigation of the Thames or Waihou River). This line, from its central position between the Upper Thames and Waikato districts, appeais to be a suitable base from which to commence operations. Moriinsvilleis the most central and accessible point on this line. Assuming 1 the railway to be constructed from Hamilton to that point it could then be carried through a valuable country pieienting no engineering difficulties to Oxford (which will from its eligible position, ia addition to the value of the surrounding lands, become a most important settlement). Thence the line follows on its course to Papapa over an undulating, but fertile country, capable ot supporting, a considerable population. From Papapa to Rotorua, a virgin forest is traversed, but from the nature of the cultivations made by the natives at the entrance to and egress from it and the rich crops produced therein, there is no doubt this bush land will not bo the least valuable country passed over by the projected line — this ia without taking into consideration the commercial value of the timber, which would find a ready market ir. the Waikato, Piako, and Patetere districts. The wonderful natural phenomena, which have been justly designated the " Sight of the World," with « Inch this region 'iboundri, need not here be described. Ifc is more in accordance with our views to carry forward or indicate from our present halring-place at Rotorua what is (as far as our present information extend-*) the probaole course which the central main trunk line for the North Island will eventually take. Proceeding southward from Rotorua there aic no engineering difficulties intervening between there and Lake Taupo ; thence the line would skirt the eastern Bide of that M« to its south-eastern extremity ; thence a gradual ascent would be made to the Rangipo saddle, (between the Waikato and Whangaehu rivers). This Litter is the moat expensive section to construct, but it presents far less obstacles than have been met with on many of the lines completed. From Rangipo to the Murimotu Plains and Rakitepaumu a fine district is passed through, and between Muurnotu aud Marton, on the FoxtonWanganui railway line, there are no msunnountable obstructions. Thus assuming what we have endeavoured to sketch out and make intelligible the distance from Hamilton to the Wanganui- Wellington line would not exceed 220 miles, added to which, the distance from Auckland to Hamilton (say 85 miles), and the further length from Marton to Wellington (say 115 miles) makes the aggregate 420 miles, which certainly would not, at our present rate of travelling, consume more time than 27 hours. Moreover, there are manifold advantages in adopting this route :— lst. The territory passed over is, for the main part, fertile and valuable. 2nd. There would be no native obstruction or difficulties to combat. 3rd. The natural scenery is peerless in its magnificence, and must attract tourists from all parts of the world, who would thug have easy access to the great 1 wanders of nature at Rotorua, which are now so difficult to reach. 4th. The undertaking, even as , a commercial speculation, presents features of attraction infinitely superior, and possesses solid elements of success which cannot be found connected with any other line of railway in the Australian colonies or New Zealand. ■ In fact, the whole line indicated by us exhibits features of natural beauty throughout its course which cannot by the force of language be painted or pourtrayed. sth. The line ?ia Rotorua, Taupo, Murj^otu, and Marton is the shortest and . $$<$ central thateaube found. In 1873^i,7 tJfoBBrB. t Jfo88r8. Carruthera, Mackay, Turner, EdgpvHay, and Clarke explored the whole of the country between Cambridge and Murimotu, and reported to the Government that the line was quite practicable and I easy to construct. Since then the Kangitikei County Council have caused the district between Marton and Murimotu to be examined, and it is said to be perfectly easy to make either a road or a railway through] it,. Thus, the forgoing statements are not probabilities or chimeras, but are substantial facts, as can be proved by reference to the report and plan furnished by Mr Mackay to the Government^ anS ' which was* confirmed by the Engineer-in-Chief, Mr Qarrathers, when he inspected the country." • '