BRANCH RAILWAYS

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1527, 24 August 1912, Page 14

BRANCH RAILWAYS

LIGHT LINES ADVOCATED, THE HON. W. FRASER GIVES A FAVOURABLE REPLY. A largo deputation, proposing a series of branch railways in tho Wnirarapa from the main lino eastward interviewed the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. W. Fraser) yesterday afternoon. It comprised representative- of the Pahiatua Boroueh Council (Messrs. J. OsborneLilly and J. H. liiclmrdson), Pahiatun County Council (Mr. T. lioilgiiuO, Pahia_tua Progressive Association (Mr. \v. Wakeiiiun), Borough Council, and Chamber of Commerce (Messrs. T. Baiii ami A. J. C. Kuncimau), Palmerston North Borough Council and ChumWer of Commerce (Messrs. E. J. Armstrong and T. H. Collinson). It" was introduced by Mr. J. H. Escott, M.P. for Pithiatua, and accompanied by Mi , . U. Hunter, M.P. i'or Waipsnva, , The deputation proposed the construction of five light lateral feeder lines, agyregating 80 miles in length. Mr. Osbornc-Lilly said tliero was a considerable amount of aggregation in the ■Vkitio county which was originally intended to l.e occupied only in email JioUliuui This was in no degree the fault oi the settlers, but was tlue to the iiuulequnto means of transporting produce to tho markets, so that many farmers had been compelled to fake larger areas and curry sheep only. He added that tho l'oxton tramwav was a constant source of.revenue to the Manawatu County Council, though the countrv was favourable to roiul luiulairfc Tlib 'lines proposed by the deputation would traverse country that was cot so well adapted for vehicular transport, and a lar-'cr revenue could bo expected. Mr Bain said that Danuevirlce was tho natural centre i'or the district that would be served by the proposed lino to tttbber, and was the most suitable point for a junction with the main line. 'I he branch would not compete with any existing railroad but would be an economical and profitable feeder for the main system. The construction for the first fifteen miles would be particularly easy.' Ilr. Wakeman said that plans for the development of the country had been placed before the late Mr. Seddon fifteen years ago, and the settlers then decided to rate themselves for the construction if the Government would not do so. Ho visited America and England to gain the latest information regarding electric transmission, the scheme being that electric railways should bo constructed. Ho was confident that electricity was tho means for the solution of the problem of developing rural areas. The cost of rural electric railways did not exceed JCSOOO per niile, only one-third of the (present cost of steam railroads, as the construction in every way was much lighter than in tho ease of steam lines. Mr. Hodgius stated that the upkeep of roads in the Pahiatua. County -was very heavy, and even with State grants the council had not been able to maintain a satisfactory condition. Mr. Collinson explained that the line to Pongaroa would greatly benefit PaV merston. Tho intervening district was now traversed only by inferior roads. Mr. Hunter , supported the deputation in its requests for better facilities, but ho explained that he did not identify himself with the views of the deputation renardins the routes to bo followed. All ho desired wa; that, tho country should be developed by railways constructed on the most economical and profitable route. The Minister said that he was in full sympathy with tho deputation. He had long lield the view that branch railways were not a' luxury but. a necessity. He | was also confident that branch lines constructed at the same: cost as main lines would never pay, and the capital cost would always be pleaded as a bar to starting them. " He could not sob why the branches should not be built with 401b. or 501b. rails on ' the same gauge as main lines, but consequently much cheaper. When travelling in Queensland a few. years ago ho saw lines of railway laid down at XI2OO a mile, but the conditions there were very much easier than in New Zealand. There was little or no earthwork, more sleepers were used, the rails were fastened down, ami a few shovelfuls of soil thrown over. The trains were not allowed to exceed ten miles an hour, but even that rate was very different from the rate of road traffic which might be anything from two or threo miles an hour to a mile in half a day on bad roads. By the ordinary professional, light lines were not regarded with favour and their opposition had to be combatted. He was a layman and he was in sympathy with the. deputation. During the recess he intended to travel through mfst parts of the country which (he could reach. He would then be able to form a better idea of the character of country to be traversed and whether it would be possible to reduce the cost of construction. It was urged that in rough country it cost just as much for light lines as for fully completed lines. That was a matter for consideration and he intended to look into it very thorough, ly and ho hoped that with tho help of the chief engineer and! his staff he would bo able to devise n means by which branch lines could be initiated at far less cost than wus considered possible, and ho was confident that if this could bo done tlw lines would be profitable. Regarding the proposals before him Mr. •I'raser said that the whole question was one of money. Now Zealand was not in too good favour on the Stock Exchange at present and he could not hold out any , hope'that; tho deputation's requests would be gianted at the present time. The Government proposed to borrow .£1,750.000 for public works, and that loan would hare to suffice for practically eighteen months from tho beginning- of tho current; financial year. The Minister for Finance had insisted that the Government should not lightly incur responsibilities which it could not meet easily. The result of ignoring this cautious policy was that a large loan had been raised at a cost of five per cent to cover an expenditure that had already been made before the money wn? borrowed. (A member of the deputation: "Money at any cost." In the present instanco ho told the deputation plainly ho would not commit himself. During the recess he would give the matter considerable attention, and he honed to give a decision that would be satisfactory to the people. Members of the deputation invited Mr. Frasor to visit tlifir districts promising him every facility for inspecting them and this was accepted by the Minister.