EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1761, 28 May 1913, Page 8

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

THE ALTERNATIVE.

MOTOR WAGONS ON ROADS. DR. NEWMAN INTERVIEWED. Dr. A. lv. Newman, M.P., who accompanied tho Hon. W. Eraser (Minister for Public Works) on his recent tour in tho Eastern Wairarapa, was interviewed by a Dohimon reporter yesterday, and asked to give his opinion upon some of the proposed methods of providing the back country with means of communication.

Dr. Newman said that he felt that the opening up of the city's back country was tho keynote of its future prosperity. One of the few remaining large areas in this district lacking means of communication was tho country lying between Masterton and Wnipukurail, east of the I'ukctoi Range. Dr. Newman, v.-ho knows most of this country very well, says that if it were made easy of acccss it would carry a very big population, and pour out an immense amount of natural ■ products. Tho opening of this country, lie added, would tend to greatly onricii the city of Wellington.

The Proposed Railway. "There is already a railway from Masterton to AVaipukurau," continued Dr. Newman, "but it runs away fiom, and is altogether outside, the country to bo open-|-cd up by the suggested new line. Tho proposed line is about 85 miles long, and would cost probably .£BOO,OOO. Before any route is settled oh, many trial surveys must be made, and a very great deal of consideration given to it. The work should only be begun when everything has been most carefully considered. An Immediate Policy. "I am quite sure," said Dr. Newman, "that it is quite «nsy to open uj> this country speedily and effectively without waiting for a railway. As early as next summer we would do an immen.'e deal for it. How? By motor buses and motor wagons. Tho country is now traversed by several good roads, and by others good in parts; tha bad parts want metallinij. The settlers must be helped. There is now a good motor road from Masterton through the Taueru, Mungapakeha, Langdale, and Tinui to Castlepoint—some 44 miles. It runs through a splendid district. Next summer the Railway Department could put on a motor bus for passengers running from Masterton to Castlepoint and back the same day—an enormous boon to tho settlers. Motor wagons —I mean new improved types, not the oW lumbering heavy traction engines—could run on this lino and bring tho produce to Masterton. It could start from Masterton in tho morning, run out to Tumi and back the same day. I believe last summer all the very heavy Brancepetn wool clip was carried to Masterton along this road by traction engines. You see that by next summer much relief could bo given to the settlers. Turn to other parts—l lienr that last summer , a motor bus ran with passengers from Waipukurau to Porangahau—along part of the line to bo opened up by the proposed railway. Motors Tun from Daniicvirke inland _to Weber, Wimbledon, 'litres, ctc. Why not put on ono or more motor buses for tho people. Take another lino our party travelled—the road from I'ongaroa "to Tiraumea and Alfredton, reaching tho railway at Eketahuna—a road somo 4i miles "long. Part wants metalling. I hopo tho Minister will help the County Council to finish t'his work. Directly this is done the trade of some of tho country east of tho Puketoi could be brought by motor wagons and motor bus to the railway, l'oagaroa and the adjacent country would be within six hours of the railway by motor wagons and two and a half hours by motor bus. Another lino of motor buses and wagons could run from Pahiatua to Pongaroa; from Wcodville to Kumeroa, and farther inland. "An expenditure of a very few thousand pounds would next summer open up an immenso area—the handicapped, struggling settlor would at onco get tho relief he so urgently needs. It is iar better than waiting weary years for a railway. These settlers havo suffered enough already—they want, help now.

Possibilities of the District. "At present this large district of excellent land, and blessed with an exceptionally fiuo climate, is producing excellent step and lambs, and cattle, out nothing more. If the settlers had easy and cheap access to the railway tho country would do much more. It is essentially a sheep and cattlo country, but in pans it will do much better. It will grow excellent fruit—it has such a fine climate—but until opened lip, fruit-growing is out of tho question.' In parts it is excellent dairying lnnd. Previous Governments made several small farm settlements, which did no good, owing to difficulty of access. If it were opened up, this country would carry a very largo number of small settlers. The output of the district is considerable, but it will be enormously increased by subdivision and by cultivation of now products. Parts of this country will grow fine fruit and potatoes, and onions, and other vegetables, and milk, and eggs, etc.—but not till wo open it up. I wish Wellington people could seo this district, for I am quite sure most have not tho smallest idea of its size and its splendid possibilities. Mineral Deposits.

"This country possesses other than agricultural wealth. Thero are brown coal seams scattered over it. True, tho outcrops are small—still, it is a reasonable belief that, when properly explored, wo shall find valuable seams of coal. Hitherto no one has cared to seek for coal in this region. It seems to me there is a proved natural gas field here. In Canada and the United States natural gasfbids are hungrily developed—it is tho cheapest and best of fuels. Gas jets that burn freely occur all over this country. At the well which is being sunk near Weber, the boring-machinery is driven by natural gas from a handy spring. Gas freely flows from the bore. At the well in tho Mangaone Valley natural gas flows forth freely. The gas area is very large. Some day it will prove an enormous source of wealth to the Dominion. It is not now n question of finding a natural gasfield—it exists; the evidence is too excellent to leave room for doubt. "You see," continued Dr. Newman, "why I am keen this land should be opened up speedily. It will carry a very big population, and will turn out an enormous quantity of products from above ground—in the years to come. The soil is good, the clinuitc excellent. Add to these the great prospects of vast mineral wealth—coal, natural gas, and oil— and is it not high lime we cultivated it? A land with milk and honey above, coal, natural gas, and oil below—it is a country of double-barrelled richness! Is not this a golden ground for us to open up without more delay—without waiting wearyyears for a railway ?"

The first telephone ever installed in a private residence la still to be seen at Marlborough House, Queen Alexandra's resilience. It was made in 1878 on board the warship Thunderer, nnd was subsequently fixed up between (he schoolroom and the boudoir of tho then Princess of Wale;.