RAGLAN RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15353, 29 September 1923, Page 6

RAGLAN RAILWAY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I cannot conceive that the Raglan settlers will oppose those candidates for election to the Railway Board who simply wish, in the beginning, to explore the whole question as to whether a light railway will be a practicable, useful and profitable undertaking. Surely there must be a strong desire to open all that long valley area, eminently suitable for dairying, to closer settlement, which would distribute the burden of the cost of such a railway over a larger body of ratepayers who, in turn, would help to ensure the financial success of the project.

In spite of the poor access to this valley for heavy traffic, the output of dairy products Is rapidly growing within this area, and with cheaper and more rapid transport, the settlers would have more time and energy for the improvement of their farms and deliver their manures on the land at a cheaper rate.

Since the slump t came, I have not been in very close touch with the Raglan district, but prior to that many farmers appealed to me to sell them out, which was imperative because of failing health, old age, the family leaving home, and the district, and so on. But “ the long, long trail dividing ” was a constant cause of failure to sell. The long miles and the long day, which the journey would involve, together with the long distance from schools, from churches, and from social and business centres, would effectually counteract all the natural charm of the district and arguments in Its favour. The boom came and went, and how much did it affect land values in Raglan? No land agent will take a client to Raglan from personal choice.

Raglan gives an isolated and lonely impression to would-be land buyers, and very few women will consent to their husbands buying land there. Improved transit, facilities will transform the district from a sparse settlement into a closely settled dairying area and usher in an era of prosperity, with all the accompanying social, civic and business institutions and services, so essential to the welfare and happiness of the people, especially the people on the land.—l am, etc., J. GILBERT.