STRATFORD-ONCARUB RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 533, 19 June 1909, Page 12

STRATFORD-ONCARUB RAILWAY.

BATTLE OP THE EODTE3, Tho two points of view 111 regard to tho ; Suggested deviation of tho Stratford-Oflgaroo (ttilWay were. ropw&eotfcd in a deputation from' the districts concerned,' which Was in- , trodueedto the l'fittid Minister, (Sir Joseph oi Wednesday evening-by Mr. W. f. Jennings, M.P. ' ' , air. ityb.ii, wlio Spoke on behalf of the Ohura Bottlers,• urged that no deviation should bo made, but that the route to Ongarue, as already authorised, be adhered .to. . Mr. Dwyer. fihairtaftii ofjitho'.comiaittoo , ropresenting tho'fettiters Who favoured tho ! deviation, presented u petition irf favour of the deviation, which, be Bald, would tako tho . line' through tho best cOMtty and produeo • tho'most rovenue. Mf. Jonningji asked Sir ; Joseph , to decide the route 6U6• way or tho '• other at once. ■ ' ■ Tho Prime Minister stated that this mat- ■ tor'-had boon carefully Oofltldefod by the Cabinet at ltafet half a daWm titiiea. He would say to tho-deputations. you ata going to (jUattel about Whltdl iOUtG yOU aro going, to' got, you will get wither." •\ , Air. Dwyer asked that tho engineers bo allowed t» decide.tho matter. : . ■ Tho Prime Minister said that this was not. a matter to, leave to tho cfiginfcefs, the deviation would ill Volvo an Oitfa dlstaiicd. of between . twenty and ~ thirty i miles,! Whieh Wduld foptcisent ati additional cost of About £200,000, or, say,' roughly. £300,000 The ; former Minister for Public Works hid declared that tho Otigarui* route should bo tho i one, and tho Government eould not see its Way. to ohaligd tho rOUIiO. Anyalteration' ' would involvo «ciiig to Parliament and askjlig: for an-, additional- expenditure. SUch; as . thoy were' not at.: pfCsttht; asking for in respect to .aiiy .iinrt of'the Dominion. If tho , route/were altered) the % work, would he prao-;' tieally in the pdsitlon of hn uiiituthorisedllno., v Other parts of New Zealand \vera now asking for railwayswhich Would cost. Verj* lafco sums, and the Government twoia i not find a shilling for:any of.the|n. Tho line as authorised was 102 miles long, which, Was nearly cms-Quarter Of tho Whole longth of. tho Main Trunk lihei And an of: this lenEth eould not be; entertained. Mr. Dwyer: Wo hold that tho Main Trunk line'already serves tho greater part of the Ohtara. ; : Sir Joseph Ward i Well, we cannot .prtyidb £300,oof)'more. •'You would nil be dead and buried before the lino wMihl be flnlfehcd . Mr.- Jennings said tlmt he ! Was fjlad that ; the decision had'been given, ami he .urged that a start bo made from .the Ohgarufl end as soon ns -possible.' .