"A GOOD LINE."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1851, 10 September 1913, Page 4

"A GOOD LINE."

THE MARTINBOROUGH BRANCH HON. W. PHASER'S OPINIONS. •Tt will be a good line. There's no doubt about that," Baid tho Hon. W. Fraser (Minister for Publio Works) yosterday, in conversation with a Dominion reporter, and tho lino of which ho spoko was the proposed branch to join Martinborougli with the main .Wairarapa line, I

Mr. Fraser spent the last week-end in the Wairarapa district, and ho motored along the suggested route of the line, and through tho country which the lino will servo. On his arrival at Featherston he was mot by a deputation representing tho Town Board, who spoko with him about the suggested deviation to avoid the mountain. Featherston peoplo aro alarmed lest the doviation, when it is mado, may tako tho lino away from tho town. Mr. Fraser told the deputation'that nothing had yet been settlod, and a good deal of preliminary investigation would have to bo made. With regard to their fear that Featherston might bo'left out in tho cold, lie told them that before any final decision was arrived at everyone interested would have an opportunity of expressing their opinion. He then motored' to Groytown with tho member for tho district. Sir Walter Buchanan, and inspected a bridge thero wliicli it is proposed to re-erect. Tho present structure has been up for somo time, and is somewhat decayed. Ho was then driven to Maryborough, and in tho afternoon lie was. driven through much of tho surrounding country. "I, was very much impressed with the character of tho country I went through," said Mr. Fraser. "I was agreeably surprised to find that there was so much' good land in that locality between the hills aud the lake, as I found there really was. Spme of tho land I saw was among the richest in the wholo of tho Wairarapa."