PONGAROA LINE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2196, 8 July 1914, Page 15

PONGAROA LINE

OFFICIAL REPORT

VARIOUS ROUTES DESCRIBED

ESTIMATES OF COST

A roport throwing much valuable light on the various projects for putting n railway through tho country around Pongaroa was prepared in 11)1)2 by Mr. J. 11. Dobsnn, Assistant Knfinecr in the Public Works Department, ho report ilnos not deal with'the Mas-tertun-W'aipukiirau ronto as a whole, as the Departmental view then was apparently that a loop lino from Masterton northwards could not be advantageously continued further north than \Vcbor, from which point it would run into Dannevirko. Beyond AA'cber a big watershed would liavo to be crossed, and tho remaining portion of a new lino would be comparatively close to tho existing railway. In his report Mr. Dobsion said; — "I have tho honour to report that in compliance with instructions received during February last an exploration and examination haa been mado for tho

purpose of approximately locating n lino I of railway to open up the country around Web;T and l'ongaroa, and other sniiillor settlements between tho l'ukotoi and the sea. "In the pian'and jongitudinal sections forwarded herewith the different route.s have been shown, and it is assumed that any lino should leave tho present Wollington-Xapicr Hue and join it again after passing throuifli the country to bo served, ami thus forming a loop. Tho lino which appears most useful is shown in full red in the plan, and is called Lino Xo. 1. This starts from Mastcrton, and runs through Pongnroa and Weber on to Dannovirke. "Lino Xo. la, shown in dotted red, ie an alternative routo between Pongaroa and Weber. "Lino Xo. 2, shown in green, starts from tho present railway at Mauriccyille, and runs throuph Alfredton and , joins No. 1 Line at l)cep Creek, near , Waterfalls at the head of the Tiranmea ; ISiver. . Lino Xo. 3, shown in vellow, leaves tho present railway at l'lihiatua and joins Xo. 1 Line about half a milo beyond l'ongaroa IWnship. Description cf Lines. Line No. 1 leaves tho Masterton

Railway Station (0 miles} ami follows on or about tho 'IV On> Oro ami Hideford Html tu Mangatopi-topi Creek (eii;ht nnlo.1), very eusy lovel '.•ountry, the only lteres of importalive beniß bridge-, over the Hnamahaima and A\an;i.i.'liii l(i<(n. M :l Lom eiulit miles the lino avends to u saddle" ut uliiUl t-'ii mile.; and ilk-ii to the Taiieru Valloy at eleven :u\d a half milt's, at n »iadi. of I in .VI. From clcvi'ii and a half mile■< lu -JS milo, ||i,> line lullfiws tln> Tauoru V : i||,. v ii.-|,| up Id ;i Middli' with i-asy <;raih-, alnni'l hall :i mill- near tin- summit boiin; nrubalilv the .steepest. A great portion of tho line aluii" tlio Taueru Valloy is veiv i-iisy i)f fuiiPiition, as tin- valloy is lint, but then- will be didicully in'the Irw places wherp the jlream cuts into pupa f.iccs liable to slip, when? it maj , l<« :i»l----vitablo to crois and recms the ttrcaui

to avotfl Uieso. jil;ic-i?-, lisri it wtl.i tiil;d | c-aroful Wjivnj: to ok't-j'fuiHu' 1)4?., u< ] ill some ifeUtiM;!} H; will: hi? fpwftiniliks j by bt('oi?vSiuit}£ iiji' irw'Mjjii Wj- n.in | nver tli'iif io,]U <:»r t.lr(?si\l«ij*;i iVi!?i<>- a.i |ij-f--.- j lorenco <(i oitliXM s ■fi.a.tiVnjj' a j-flsplwjty wu:t of tlio iVrcq .flif In-jiftjiflft thi , ' utr-naMi twice. ! ]'lii> ThiiC-id is ftot n foi'iiriclaiiic. stream, W<l.sj?s at tii;o. lmVivf cijil rih) qiiiriii<<; to Li'.' j'-i>t>Ms liW !jj !i{tiif fpj-'i- li«j*, ; and tliorcj- iw .fi|.(].iat<>Ji-!l-> ; siotui fiiiMiiftition for «;6iic[ct:i> lj:i;s«}:s f?>:r jh'im _a-ii(l j almtiiK'iiis. >;<■) tn(H«.vt ft'.ii-i Iw? i.vfjunocf I at tin- sndd-lo srt i'-S .nsiJp.s. iviid I-)h< 1 hissforward at Isw to #10 \fi'iiif taivhiti Slreaiiii u;l- (W .pules, -.ami' -tfiett i asoonds In a *jnMl<> lwt-ttw.i tie.Wai* : tawliiti writ ».iHi:tJi..et liratnJt of thfr TitiOi!moii at 112 liiiijos. Tltis jijirt s>l. the fliro : will bi? llirmtEl!- Ijfoifii ■(.•eVj.irl-ry WUt.s: sharp sjrtlrs ii-ml !ohk Ikrt Kuiliffs, whwi. , : I'onsidif \lili (uhi [I nil' bi lffpirl to form riidviu null tnncfi of 7J ell 111 l 1 llllH'- ' 1 rom 12 mile" Ihn line ntr n \ illo\ mi tbe rirmnei lloni'-tc-d at 1 in )(' in 1 iit<r lolliin nu nl< hl tli< vnlle> foi ibout n nuh wuli nc irh h\d grades oroiM h o\oi i 6i(Mle ncr <l~i miles and dotcoiiJs to )fi unit", nhrro tlio is joined h\ Deep CretK— all furh oi-r forpiiMon liom V>) miles the lnio a c<nds at r £f\(fo of 1 in '0 to- tilt PuLimii T{ ( r(' svl He it 39 mile iili <"'i is ncarlj 110(1 feot liiptn nnd n wiuinel of 10 or i'l rlimiis i ill bo required tlnro to reduc the inn mt height to ODlft , the ground de< ( tn 1inc stecpU into tlie jilli". oi' both sides of tlio s"d<ilo

"From tlio tii'inui at 1)9 hiilps fir lino dosLPinN it 1 in "JO lo tlu cro r 1114 of the .Mnii c ;ititi -jticim -it 11; niil< i, tli(< upper piri of ill Imijtlt triUiiiii). rntlioi loisc pipi cuiiitu to the of tlio Ili'Liinui- tl i!ji 1 lio.iil 'I hoio is M>in<) i»ipi loiintiv ln>tii(ii l>ic;i Ciotk .ui(l th Kikiinn Middle, nliiin I will probibH ciif-L cons flcnblc troiibli , , iiiul ,1 Road (Ictl of i iioiul c\.tminat | nn will be requited to miliums < dif Ijculliii i 10111 tlip \ III" at Ju nillp. to thu I?"Kiiiui f Mil<lk bp'lcr .iiade-. could l>o jbt".incil 1 tniiim,; to tlio riclit nml cosiin,; I;opp (icck abo\o tlio rWntcrfjlls . ( fconi nod 111011 Hoiiip, nnd then ['ridini; up ti tho Itrkaiiui S'dcllo. but the countr\ is so >p»y loose air! the he.iu |> iji 1 slip-, tip i fi r"(ont tlnl this appe-iis to bo out nf t>o quc-trou when tii\ <iljci w.i\ t 111 be , ot 'Tioni ihc M.iii""i(it> Ci< s nif ii •(Hi nnlps tlli> lino fiillnns nloin; 11n* 1), 111tiidp abini Uip 'iiUuiii Toi ,11101 1?tkI and ascends vtli risv u nl< s c> i loi'o saddle a( froslin(;s at 17 'J ho cro-is section l - >t tl i r ]i<« ot line in not sUpji but thpre w.'l j lobnbK ho a few ph(os i\her'< Ihe will r lm, it bpinvT c li (], lipu\ d 1 o\rthin,' papi, but it does not nnp >ir likeh to cause nuirli trouble ! 10m (ioslmn'i Saddle tlip hue desiondi furh

ecsy billsUW i.ri sfg}. iiijfo* ill itw jllvl■' to the west 0)' tW ilAWsjiiriia 'I'OSVfifhiip,, ■: wham :i i;o«4 tfto- ffff » stitiioii. olitotiiSv : From IVmgttra) t.fo<?' liui; iiscasiis n$ a griide of 1 Mi =50 tor .uluutt luilsfs, liciii" close to tlio iisartt screL ai«l ft'<m< : ■l!i) miles to siiV luii'i 4'ufevvs Mi l ; f-iw ■ uf tlii , I'oiis'iWua-Wfjiicr fount al.u.i. : )<? ovl*y i lIMI i'(iiiiiti>- ; ihlHd &£>; iftifc's tlw Jiiii.'j lli'S«Vlli]t 1 Ifl fit* (41 >Vi ffiiJiliJ dliAjS tlw I li'li Imiil; /vf ilii! .Vliifi-iitiiifiiiiiy S-uWh.. I win-it , liiruwkruti, tktt |w.:tVV, W '. linlili' to liiijh?}' slriis u-f'i'l\v infill -iJ:i:H:K. i "At ;"i5 tils , !*?;(>■ sfiwlips Wijiwnio j Tiivrnsliip. irt VbM fsVASiKiii. v>: tito S-ijiia- I liiipiira Sti*un witlr UK; AJcitio Itwf'f, j l-'niin \\':iio*io tlic i'iisli}, V);ii.-.U. Jit , ti)f i Akitiii i"; ii>il.rp%v-<'i}. i jijijtt'dxiii'W'h'ly, lit | ilip pri'ient (*>;t'.l itiso, ivi-tJj .li»",i9'k Jtivfi j Kr.idcf to 6i.j nfiles. Aloim fWs'ltrta.t-h j a cnnJ p.Tt'flf (!w tjiin iJfll , Tuu nLfiirt : ' flats a litlfe ib&v* tiro riw* b.U.i (hir.i

jtiXQ S/UUi , |i!i,]fi) Jjlll&i stV.f-x; ?il.ii.m wifi U(s] j liidilv* |:<i. (itvnr, i.iMd M»mv. initoivUffaMf , j I («S-|)!'[|t-lililtt;> \yjft (ii, ill j(fot);Uivl.ily :hi> r'. 1 - (imiroil to i;</o'i> l)iM Alikni frtmi'caitiijs! (wt<! t-liv Uiiifka i,u iifiit'bikm-:. 'thw ' hi'ldttf* wiH I'm v«iisiW dvrt- f-lw WaUti i «-uil Xijiilii- StFcansSi j i "i'l'iait flf-J (iisle.* iJifi- at 3 . j sii' 1 in 50 ti> "t-l-t»» ijefcr"iii:(« iiffi)4>i> Hii': jm-w bUiffs jH, Urn bark <rf tftti Wi'to-: tUlVflStltU' lit (It IHJlws. ll'fum MM (ijFIIIS lui !JH iljfb'.s (Tiitvuriiit ttnijiirtilii CiwlO d"Sfe.M> wit! roii nvafty k ,; v4-: 'l:lris is it ■ J Vifi-y |msiv,v 01 , <-i)ii-i)t4 , .v. *)i* tHii« fV>l.lrtw in.g; it Itr-ok-Mi ierj;i(Pi' afewi W) to 1-fti frt«t aii(iv<! -Hiiv rJ.wHn<<l. Vamn aitiftut bijf iv- riiijo Ji(?l0w Wftbw tlie. : Ak-Uio KivOT Winds in a. 'Icei* .l.i-itf-rcHv gj)i'ii,o ilittilii'd 0:11 I'i.tlser jsiilo l).v pww o(j)Mmi-,s ijixj>:i iiinl to l>i|fW * j ««{lhNi-ji ii : lstKs thwo wjtbunl .'n-sii'lidinj; Hj Willi I ipjn us t 111 1 Mi- , 11 tin i< i 1 v/iih 1 I v pluis \h( 0 I Miiull flits irtnr lKt«' ci tlio iiu r bo 1 iiul thi 'm li 1 inl s Monj, he lino shi nn on Ik i\\ w irk will It cntuli 1 I 111 1 iltniK lj'iii™ th hilisi J i 111 tilii ps Oier' tin* inn Irs mt thrmi"Ji the 1 Hpurh but a n iod dil 111\ b doim to I st i\ tin nio\un<.iit of tli" o slips l»\ niiitu tin too from llooti> etn 11 lint the A'atio r» 1 toiiMdenl le rtreini, nml In npptrt ii» tioodnnrlI and 1 rom \<< ' infoimitioi il iimsr be l> I'litU heuv htinm nluii fliod-nl ! beru will lir t«-> Mnduiis it I!lion-> and Vnip'tili Clicks and a 1 Miiallcr one it Ke eru Creek iiul it does 1 int appi tr fioni ih-> pMiinin itnn nnilr tint nnii'i en Ko uono ')i rum me in

J ift tte iftpjfG'sitti aw toq, jfhii ,-ivt tfio.lJbtt.wiii;. U'i.i!) too ;iv.iiM\ti 4iij tjib; si(tf:s : itio iiop]!:. ' Wid ; Tfyvtj ; liiijfe tav : Hvcftft 61! , iiiul : ißiJpj; Jiko lsJi:e lip;«;ksi : lii!tfttfi;!l AiaAJrcrtpii.jii);! iJaiiiiGvirki?;.. eii .niijps ta ft :t(ifr lino -SJyiaWjis. at .iV Jifadf* ofl i"ii- :oB SiloliUi jlvcj' liiJlKJTlc pit tljc: rjgivi Xf:i.nsi> ■ WS,n. S;trca::iij. t : fti) ti<it 'Jibing : ;\.j)}jii|p.ii;t;|y wi:y lioiiVji irtU At flj<> lp.\\*V ■pitfiioii\.ii (iimfoiii !(# ■sj|i ; j)pi«R ,pa,ps svfl] jsepv*; nijorV Stji- '']£•& A tilJSfttfl, ; s sii6.»ji at ■nib'ouj l!jo; Sftdflip. b>tto<?ri thiJ !NIf!)f!;i----:prtk;liHd.il VlMngtiXwsi. jvatei;slltd.s- Jittifl' ; tiife' iVijiiiPi- fiiici drscpntla' n£ J j'rt 3ft ij)oifc( $iX)t| i)ilfei(lj?3,. jS'iJil ;fol|p\vS, dowii ; fl|i? iijfi^nt;v(cii ; t<> feppif; t<j--its tQiiidUottcp ■ $\d i);:ii>gn:tnj;o. st.rriijii;,, tin<\ : tSnMi ■PiliiS tbp Sfaii.Ksfofo' ■.n.-iis-,.. iiii<l ■IvVinvo i-Jit' rio.rftf- :ii.t ifiiv Ilo!ocStParf.n:t:ivi)eiif |?mij<Jsiv .■iiiiil ;fj-«nj. ft ci-Sfelj'ds , iViiJt .Wy CfSy ptaitety Clip Stiddfe: n'ii 7ft hivfe* irt 41 >t> j ft.netiftiii'«f t-Jio Diinho.- . yM;;e4V : P.jK* Toavl: Avith jthe. :fOO- :t*> :pa:p.nh"ii[ btek. Iftatji; tlite p.a'dil.l'o' 3t r-iiij , *' : yAs!h ftrti<i;cs to tlift Oirftata raltley : : |ft. vofy 'oajiy :strWcit <if'xpii.ntr><):, ify ife ijiaiiv VfjaiJ, ftt :ivbmijt S5! ; inijoSi. 'ivjwffi it ttfrirs to "tjife tight ti? eftjssi: tlio:

TCfyiif. a'ij<>\Ms a sfatp. I.iontJ. fiii J-He olb/jAv of fi'hiisji ilie (jcudi. Mftii litisiilw'fiTi doYKtkd iij<jrs tltuaj csic» ilimn^li -n Mg sliji Jms -WfiirrfCof 1 t.f.v.o. <i{ tin? j-iTOf, : Ffum ; g;J i^fe j flifil tjrf'ts ttM (e> tlif U'-rrai* (ni tfe i;eiit I taaik, iV-Jiii Jt if Mlwvs flJiijiiP; «pd BfrtJs« J li-iml i( tlwc'BMiis into tilft' SfetisoU'-rpj v ]JiVs- iii fis uiiij-':, just !kJ«:it fih- 'j-ffjtt j lyi-iilp , .', 1-Vi),ii( t'Uis {iiiiW if FwfiiiH 4 Hni j ftCfflllfli ltJrlllv.t (Id l fVsU! )-JP,J,cIs (4' Tlifili* i alit ■( ti'i'i;. jiiicfiiiii; ui sH Utuisi.'-s } vMi-;iJ ft r»Hs iiif« WKfeti-yM-Kaiwr j wiftvity ii»!i> at. inili-s, nw! I'wtf) tfwitis j i-iujs ii-liUXifSiifra «J>i W wit It Ul'ilHo! ; y:r.iHffifs.. Mitfi rJic :|>iH!.ii'--rirk< :, iuihv.iir s-tii-j "Jnjora Win Jf|fljjsiii"f<y «wjdte to- B.'iii"JVBV:it:ki! (:t klisrt <l'.f 105 iHI»?> tJie fp-r, ' fSniatitia is serj; liglit., ind t.hcfo ,i& .tio

iimistx -of siiiis;, tiio ojily w-orlt of ipjH.iTkiWC riifc i!lilt'*.CS ti.VCr t'10" A.iiiiitMvatU ftiiif Jfensjiitomi and' AJfaisife : ' 'uvra- riv-urs-ppngardj to Water. "'['His i* fti) ii(t;ypii*Hv'<> Hue ibc.Uvecsi INmiiitWa ami Weter, ttawwh \h<iU'iirhl irtvil Ha¥ stfmp fiikalttasos t-h.e WailrJ V'.;ip;y is- voi-j gooti- -^-.ii J >:ifc (Kii(»t,i.y iti tte" uj-ipw iwt'jbj, u.ut i'-rhJli ;V3 links di;\V(ir-its tW lti)'sjdt>s 1 • u-W» tlijn Watlsi JS«*—«•?««)( fa ittrtjy ■ 85 ffif^a.—is. i'oifrii ami M)t up tiy, b.ra.tu-:li I'iimigh. s!u«vi.v a|ip.r.px ; )- j/iately u-teut fijii,r jii-tloe- l.oiifiw , tlia-ri ■ ,-l.irtiit So-. 1. -t]irotij*|i Ataifatf,. ilio. laWcr ,\mt of t.ii.<v line, lictworti .|j niiJOs aiivl' Wpijof.v lia-j nut bpeii e*a,Tninc<l: sn MW ■ kl)\y its Sitte'- jifiiS'S mug to Jjiii't WftstIKlltl ; tbJ|S ilOllil-O IS b : V .1.10 HjftMSS t<! I) <01 ill II llul I Itl UUt 1 lltll 1 \ 1 111 l<l tion lml sunn Maurlcoylllo Rout* fins luif f om tin. \\<ll iijto Nipitr railuu} -\t Mam (cmllc and follows nppioMiiii tdi the Inn , of tlio l)r->\«r Hot 1 ro-.d up to i saddlii at M miles, where .. tunnel >i fiw> <lni'i , - is sliovn llus is oi tl o wmshed lino botHCPn tho y\ •nf-imlicc in;} A\ in(;aclin str' mis Imm this limn i the li'io <ks< nds 't ohout ] i'i IliO t|oiik 'iiikcn lullsuloi to the "addlo it \\\c- nu'.os be tttieii iho Wnwi pliu and lhuriii itrrshcf l, ! rtlicro a tunnel cf f|\o riiems i? irquirod as tho ndpe r.t iho ■■ndillo is n-»rrov ind st"ep ] rom 5 o

nii'et. a Jistoir of 1 in oO (,ef tht' lino <lo\i ito tlu (100- it the 'I'iiMii. \ \\W\ it jb"iit si, iinlos and Irom niis point Hi" \Ah\ w iollow -(1 do\.n ,j the (M COUIIII .it .ilf'cdto'i, tlif iornntion and Ki ucsli(iiijni\oi>\ Alimit niif mile Ip\.>ikl Vlifdton, on tnc n.iiii Tinu,'iica load tlio lino iWci-ds . t 1 i.i Klf 1 to Fdwirdss , iddk- in i lonir ml.:', .-lid r "un; line «.'], ~ ) no J, ,„ tiinii"! turn"! rt) tl > ijilit nid <li ,ci>n<lb .it 1 Mi )(J tinont;h iiH.cn Kiliuh inP'idrstj ilic Ju il.iiuj Vrlle\ . t \" milts Horn this point .t follows up tho Tii.-u----"ioi' V.illc\ to us. junction with Drop Creek, at 27} miles, whor* it jonn ! no So I at 3fii 'lilies "Tlu fornnlion .i L > the Tir.ni'iim Vi 1 - le\ will b<> toi the lost put, .prv lijlit,, but tiiorr up il til ire- who o the mi , ! rnii". ujunst pipn lilufh, wlpv it would be p< rli-ps nt*-t ••«. ii i to liridcp tlio run t«i(c t'i noul trtrtlioiou-, su 1 - Hut all tli so ,>fae,ps iiqiihc to l>c <vtniim>(l ii til re iu« nifii> noti'cible jilnccs on ilie did''tin imd< wlipri' tlio cnttiiißs look ici\ unsifc, hiii Inch lino stood well fni M~rs, Tul otlipi jiurc , ! whcio slips lim oicnrrod on appnrriith miito B ifc cround Tim liranmf \ ri'pv, on thu v,hn!p doos not apppii to lo is t,oi>il i ir,utc d« tlie lanora Vt!lp\, hut inth re-

mlire- ■frjnli.ef elqmfi htt&s>. I dirdiling vJS t'lirff inwtts. ' "Wus fevfr l.ea:c-e.3 riit W*ffiflgJwN:.iipi,of i-Mwix ui Pa;h«u«, Mid svi'eops tWid to flu; imrtfi of fliij. tt-Jw» i'ojiud tin: tot ftt 44 to<ig a:lltl. Mte ivp' iilffr Afcj,n^:;i : fiU(iii!fc:i:Wi4 Slc-iiiinj. wA a Ijowbli njp-f ii., t«» iflii.iijji. iV.ur'rtUip..' iviii'i* it jii.fii:H-«)s !.«> ii Mia# ftjiUfl,-. a?, ffj' liiifji^ jvitll i( g M 4« iif I i'.lj- s(| Off lU'tilMlf lifll:-.?ii-ts. ftcMii lUjs. (i:i(fflfi' it turns Ivi- tli... riw,li!. ami f:tlts at ! in fi'i', iijwi rMttiSiiii'ii i-.h<»."riwjiM<-fl VtHt sots mi. to tfu» jtakwt Vpfl-'S-, rviwiili *Wfß mi'tns A;jni>a Uri:; vdtc-y w ttiftWifi in9>ii tfir-foi-njatniri is lya , for ihe *nas>t j»att., sin] thfl *si=slt!x .vetj- ea*v .iti*«, At Miolfi tJIWtBWt piiTcfr St. will; bi« .H'e;cswi.rv : t0 j.Uii » oii J in 4.0. vMcii 'stpt-

tinups io the ton tl tho Pukntoi Raage, ai tin. ro-d svfdle at 20J inilos. This part of th<> lino Mil! bo through heaty toimirjr there benif eovciu! miles c' precipitous limestone clifis aooi'l tho Makuri fiorgn, hut fer the most part it appears v)lid and safe country, aii'l fro frjni danger of elip° of nii\ wanmtiido. \ uinm-l '5 cliaiiu loiv l-sl.owi "t tlic nii'l llio descnit on the cast side of the range cf 1 in !0 down to 27J mi'os, makes a length o( jscunt aim descent at tljis ;;raiio of toviteen eoi--tiniious miles. '•Pli" countn. fioti.eon tho summit and tl.e Taroora saddlo nt 26J inlos is very broken, and cit up by niiru-rous and sharp s;>nrr. From T.ircom saddle it is fairk uood io obo.it % :ni!ts, and from thon-o down tho Pcngaroa Hivor iio parti-ular difF;.iities are met i mi Ij no No " run"! into line No 1, about 1i..1f r nil-> bcvonl Por.'vroa, 31 mi'.os li\ line \'o 3, being coincident vith S4J mil's b\ line N'o 1. Otner ~os:Jble Routes. ' '"IWJps tlie alternative line: shown in i,Li" and -ections and desuibed/there ' .iere other possible routes cNSffihiH and ' heights taken n\ aneroid, Ictwcen MalU'ainpliof, and Ufreilton, ai'd between ' Klet.huna and Alfird*oi\ hut there is m> comparison 1-ptn A on them and tho 1 Diojer's Pock .outj from Mauricevill*. j A Mastcnon Propcsai, ' . '''iho rcuto from Mastert<sri" u£ the ' Wangacliu Valley to tho scddlo fit tho head ot tho lhuraua was r.c: examined, a description of tho route haung beau f'.'nus'ied b;, ilia Mastorto'i Railway League. It J >ea -nt appear as if thic routy were adwibio. I'O.vever Msv, as it runs parillcl to the prcsci.t lmo fcauout 20 miles ano taps, ieiy little in»n country V larijc ]andslii> estimate as, oU acres h.iuii" recently corao down .as, tho low or e:iJ ci this valley aces not give, it an 3 odditibn?l recommend-non. It way bo posoiblo to pet a line from tl'o wddlo at tbo hciid o{ tho Taueru Vflley on Lino N'o, 1 through to tho head of tho AWhok', anj to follow it •down tc its junction .he I'oncjaioa liner and fallow that up to the township Tim routa has not betfu'exarnmed, but an exam.nation of they country at tho miil o c tl.o Waihoki art) for about tno nnL'b dor n shone t'lat'tho'conntry about, then 16 \ cry rough ai.d apparently uiibafe. "Another roi'to v.a» cxaßuaed-smart-ing from about GO milos en Line la in tho 'Vaihr Valley and follow i:ig up tha Packtrsck C'rcpk to a saddle on tho :oid at the r.ibblt-fcncc, and from there skirting round the head ofTrib AVaipat.U Cr- ck and o\ er a sa Julo to the fast of 'lie Oporao Tn» .tnd thenco do ,',ii tc th" Mnngitoio V»li?y.'- 11 o great hoiglit to bo obtiintd" aVttto two aiij tho broken nature of ti.e country, besides tnc drawback -1 of lidving to t'so 1 in 40 grade* put-tliis route out of the I'icstion,' but it is, worjL .i tr'.' , flii"u tho hea\y r.aturo of_,thc Mork about ii consideted." \ ' "It; appears at first that tho best rcuto *c be followed betuceii i\""bor ai'il/he 'Manawatn Rner was, Instead of follov. ing up tno Mangapukn, to tu-'i to the right bej o'id liereru Cud: ar.d the rango on 'the I Jfano;ariiaiie RoaJ to the e.'st of the ! coach road . ml tl.cn follow down the j Mri Stream to its junction with J the -ifanEatoio, hehv 'no Acrbn-inoda-tion lloiisp. 'Jhe svuinut h n ight by this routo Moulfl be lover than by tho Mn.iiniiuka-Mang-itjro Saddle, and proInbh no tunnel .'.orld bo required, but tho \ alley .if t ,, " Mpng.imaire pn.'S"iits great ('ifliculti"s, tl'o stream being in a 1 drep gorge, ut'i the inllf ides elosing in i in plies, and apparently icady to come lilo«. in iiiimeiisc slip , !, T.ougli Uiis I app-arej a n r (l.ty "rcito when I yieuct' fr'JMi the coif n ropd, i e'ose j insiieotion p-jr it out of the question, I bi't. it is tne nntu-al route if the cliffi- ! cultics were :iot so grc?t. Supplies tf tiatcrla!, "A ccnsiderablo aniount''of totaia timber is übtiniablc botvco.i M'eber anj Kakani'i a'u' and vef>* of l'ie road, but it is d'iappjarmii fast na seU'cincnt pIJfJiCS'CS ' So bulletin;; stoiie is 'ikelj :e bo obtained anyv/.i.ry alonj; a«y "of the propobtd routes, out bricks are made a* Is.ik.iuu YiateiLili, l'ciuaroa. aad Weber "It ;i not likely that iny sh.nglo for ballast ftiil be found bitiicn 'i'aeiii jad the Mai:a...itu Ifi\cr. It inaj be i-j&bibL , io übc baked jupa tor baU.'st, ah it bceris to bianc , well for road ni"lal, and cpii L'i uuiiit i'lid 'ilared on >hc ioaj tor about Gs. i>ei cubic jard. " ■ "Wi'h rcspoct tr, the relatne monts of tho different 'outes, it sews that Xo. i is undoubtedly tho best, .is it opens i.p a great-r area cf <-ountry than iho others, lhc length of the Taiieru Vai'e.would tap n cons.derahlo "\tent of good couutrj .lout Tenui a.id Cistlcpcmt "'Line No L', fi'nra .Mauriceiille to Alfrodton. -.\o.il'l ho -n country already rti'l !,"r\e<l bvilipprc-out i.ninav, b> nn oGim-'ttctl b.\ i;iol n et.illed ro-uL. Line N'o. .",, from I'aliriiia, ptetOiits diflic.iltw". in tl i> ,\i ot s*eetisr grades iiiiil a higher summit than tne otnei routci, and v.ouki not cenc ii much eoiintr , us N'o 1, At pir sent a coi. iidcrablc'extoi.t of cojnt.y ilong the sea-coast is served by small stc.mors, but :is ffero :.n no icnl lnrbnurs i f -s s-ifc ic n. , - sunio thr.t a railway would *ake. tiie. whole of tho traffic- betweu the Puketoi Rani?es and tlie cea. ''A+tached is tu eot!mr.te of the probaulc 'comraiathc cost of tho different lines, with eurris of pet less than 7J chiiiis- radius, gaucc 3ft. Cm , aul.JOib. rails, ivith the b-idg"s of rather ligliter const!uct'on than "that nwoisarj for orduian lines nollino; =tock or" Had piircliaso is net included in the est , - matps. "The M.istertoii League had n Teconuai'; ,, -.iiP" sunov made from MastertOM to P'ii:<;aioi \ia the V.'anf»a~hn lhnraiia, .nul T!r":irnci Vallovs. Tt i> appro■ciimHv "tonuii >n t.) i Line N't 2 5 rn'i's to Peep Creek. , The light 'ino they wm, simihr to *h< , Tas<n i.ii.i 2ft iiiics. «ith tirades , of I ju SO .m.I umei of 11 chains r?(H,is. The est'nntcc' cost I froiii MastCitnn to Pomaroi nisi £111 000 for 51 miles at £2000 per mile | "'Tho ,I'lui! rost of thoJSr,r:li-Kast I D.mdrs liiip in Tn<n..inii n icr | miln for survcv, const] uctio.i, fni'l i equipment " ' ill' ESTiriATES ?r COST. The cstimntes enpn include tho fol- j lon mic-- '-.- to Danr.e - .like t It, P fi i mile, .it €OUDO-£o2r 7S; _ I MisLfiton to l).imiPiirk" (!<iiic Xo [ li), %) miles ,u £3107—L'"vjp;7oO. J M"»iirn pi?!I(> to IXinnmrKP (I.inp »i*o. 1 2> " 1-1 mile- ,-t j P.iii.atna to Dinueurke (Liiio No 3). J C 9 at l-;V2:-£ 130,3(33 j TO TAP A MILLION" ACRrS MR SVKES OX THE LIN'E " Mr J. 11. Sjkes, M T , in speaking to n Dominion - tejxirt'r oi tho- - propo;fd"! ail»a«- to open up tho fert'lo lands be-'. tueen the p'esent railway and tbo Last j «.'0"-t. sani — ',":. ..' 7J ■ It is ahw referred tops the Mas« [ torton-Vaipiikurau railv.a>, but iiv, quo < MsriF tint these ivo atation3"jha![ he , tho termini of the line On the other ' lia-ut, these ~ho ate interested lii'thej project. ?nJ iiho ha , o £\\cn some attPMion to ttij QUestior del a long ' periiHl ot v.'ara, lu,\- torat- to tho i iliiMoii Chat the hiiv ought to rvn from MustiMidii <n \\jipiikuinn ill" «elrf- I hon ol tin- rou*.' n-n/ i.aiil\ bo l(-ft to ' Hie evp'its All lint •»« mint i>. tint ! lln<; \ ist e\t. Nt of leililo land shall b. , oponed up l>- a light railnrj. 'Ilie ui"i »o Lipped by tins line' is alioi't n million anes m o.\tPiit, ilepasturing a million and a lialt *lic«;) ,uul ,iiiain thoiisa'idi oi (.rttlo. Jn fart, cattlciJiunc in iliis district has romp to & crcat mdustrj, oviuig to the fact that

fat CLhle stand the . drive to market much lictter then, eheep. Ir tie lmo is bu If "settlors will'ha\o jottor iccss to market than they nev,enjoy, and closer > settlement Will bo made possible Some cf the holdings in tho northern portion or the territory aro nov very hrse—l kuon of ecu o* I r 0, , 1^ 00 *' r ° s > a™' ttarc are at least half a uo/on other; ,ieai!v as iaiut and all tins, land cojld le hell in'coraparat'\el\ &m.,U lots of an a< c rage sbe o. say vCO acres, if such access to market i\erc given as to maio moie irtensa farming practicable.'"' ~ | The Fat Lamb Trade. "Ono of the biggest industries' in .New Z"al,i)iJ is fat larr.b raisin- for export, which lias de\eloped by I«anand bounds. It Ins been rrcved b> «- pcidico that good fertile pastoral I oounlr, ca.i not be put to better u< o than that ci raisipjj.fat Uaibs for ''roezing. owWR tc their great Jistencp frcrn_ *«p ralluay. the pasroralisus o: tliis nugc are? cannot participate I-. this industry V, an.- extent, be-auw: iamo<= mil net stand tne urno of SO *p. or SC! mile- to t\ 9 nearest rauwa.v Eidiiß The result-js-fhat lambs We to bo held foi another jear, and G v.-n then a -cry largo psrccntatjo live u bo sold as stores Dairying. J,;t lt!, <? V ? : - tho Co « nti 7 is v unduhtin 3 ™\? «.- ,S - S "' table for da 'Oing. At .■ressnt .this industry cannot be carried on Profitably owing to the fact tlat tho finished product can not Iβ got out to to seaboard oxcept at enormous cost ike roads aro *ctt bad, ? nd t»e iat's For cartago aro prohibitu-c.. The buildn? of a railway would at once maVo it I and also K? & t for the land tc carry a verj lfgc.y increased population. s '• Better Roads. - - '? roforr,>d -o bad roids. Fnthrough there is no prospect of trw I bemg njad ? letter. There is «aHtr ot fuitable ftono for--rcainrf bcidg. River no« to tho metalfin C o f the arterial raid betaien Alfrodton and rteher and the cost per mile of this JiorV ii about flSOn. 1 It is th?t thert mil be just sufficient stono procirauK en at thi» great cost, fc ' the coirplcti&r of this ro<w3. Tlien the eut lr o juppij- cf moUl mil he ctfiaust<Hi, and the branch roads will Jitvo to rwam n tlie:.- pjPscr: state, impassor a.most sOi in not veatW, until tho ladnaj ea>- .fc? buiit to brii;-* in stone irom outside. -," ■ • Tho Line will -T'ay. "Th<j Minister for Public Works has plread;. pud a visit to the dr-trict aecoDiDanicd by the Ergmeer-in-Chief, and doubtlcfs a rnort wil! bo nrpparrd as to t'ie feasibility of the proposal to bnild a railii i\,. A flyr.g suivej rijs niado sonip ;,oars ago" b\ alternative ' routes, whic! I understand croied that the .ail,-aj v.as practicable from an cn'■riieenm; noint-cf viev.-. . If the linp is built >t villi piv interest on the'cost of construction- freia tho firs* iKy it !s oW'-.ed for traffic 'hud the <o'mtrv develops it uill preve a' vert proJi*a'l'e for iln conntir. belides' crnferrinrc \nii 'unt'ol'l borient oa thp^sotfoi , :, nl.o ha\e endured discomfon.pnd incon\en : rnce fpr manv through cam iii , ' on farming under practically Dioiippring conditions, .'rid of course it mil. ji.crexse. .vrenl'hprodnci.iij'canaeiir. • jrd tbTcfqre Ijii lwpnlatinr-p.'mmp canwiir, of this huijr fern'" cf Tiii.itrj, to an fkt"it that T j do i'ot earc to estiTu+e , ", A PAHUTUA. POINT 01 VIEW, ' To connect ilistertou vitl Wa-puka-r.'iit b, - railnaj ivould the coustjuction of about 00 miles of line It is tne cm.tentibii of the amocitss of brarch line: as j .a£amst..thej^!oop : l ; ne ( that similar lengths of branches rus oui at UKlit angles from the ex'sting li'io into tl'c coist country would be'a much aouiuloi nay ot oi<cning up tko 'Mi. AV AVokcms'i, tf I'alnatuj.'is one of those i*ho ho'd btroni;!y to ♦lii'- view, .'ill be stated tho for the ."coder l.nc-s ni an u.tcr< paii'ishii, in 'ne "l'ahiatm ilerald" last-'.vear Sir. WakeniaM , !) idea is that lines sltouhl V built as fo'lons;—DanncwrKo to Weber, "jC inies, Polintua to Poniaroa, 30 miles; Eketahuna to Alfredton, , jl2 ri'ilcs; ilastcrton-to Taucra, 12 Irailcs; acu Fcithersto't. te Marthibcrouali. 12 nubs— fotal.So miiM -t- \ "If cv«.r tlie AVollingtoh Fast Const Cv,untr\ is to jc opened up," said Mr. r'vA.-'l-eman, "jt will hoc be done by proI''Oair.i: roh'at.tlc, costlj, ard competi- | tiic -chemes uhicl>'cin ncicr Ic adopticd 1. , the countrv It can uiilj be I ■into bv propoundirg schemes vhich ! arc ajipea! to the public, and [. *uch..scb.cnK" - , . thereiorc, must fee ;-fr?.inrd"iv,'th s view to meeting tie rc- , qu'rements of the case at tho I iuioliir.g the least possiblo I opeudifuio.. It was uith this objet in wen that I proposed th« light feeder ! !inc> scheme last jear. The pos tion we hf.\c to cor.sider it present is how can tho settlers be pro - . :ded with immediate rel'ef v.ithm- the spendinq poHc of che Goiernmer.t? Non I sucßCs*- this can be- e'en" by putting tin first and nios* "asih co'iStrucW sections of ;he feeder lines in hind at the earliest iiemer.t possible The Go\crnrient* l'a\in;; decided to cpnstiuct the IVitiicslon to line, tho ■.equircmei'ts cf tl.c Lower AVairaiapa wll to a lsrgo oxte'it bo soon entered for. Tho d.stncts, to my m\r r l, which are most in need of r c!icf aro those of AV<bor and Ponqaroa, particularly the 'i-.ttot I noiild the-c f ore urge that I'.Tl'ime.n should <iLthoriV> the con-f-tri'ctioa of the first sections cf tho lij:lit lateral lines to these districts ttih session. "I surest Miai tho construction of the line troai D;u l neiirk < » to Weber °l.ou!d bi> puthor'scd to <t po ; nt, say, loi m:!es out from Dinnevirke, anj that the coiistructioi: of the PahfaMiaI'oucaroa line out to a a far as Makuri, the t'isT. st3L,e. s-houM bo immediatelj I'lrimenced If t.'i's u <; done the settlers at AVobor "ill be bro ight within eas* '■each of tho ra-lwav, vrhile thoEe at KaUunai and 'Pongarca > Bill brous'ii hithiii lueiie ar.d eighteen jniles rrspccinelv . "Ihe cT'Tt of tho construction of tlips.- sections would be to con f cr an immense benefit upon the settlers whoso, requirements uoulc! thus bj met to a \(T, largo extent,> ana it eoulrt all Lβ iloiie foi the c\pcnditi're of comparati'ch little inone\, ccitaiah i ithin tko nieai's of tlii Government Tho reason whv I say it would cost so little is bccai.se tile sections I rcfir to present no difficulties IP constrnct'on, and brills liunt li'ies ought to be bu:lt »tv cheaply "Fron , vhat I ha\s said i\. rill be sren ilnt t'lcre »?n bv no resan wnv tl\c construction of secli> 'is <-hould i.ot b-> undertaken bj t!ie Go-enment in il.<>-in>Mctluite fnturc, and the probltm of.tbt onccin.2 up cf the" rich Last Cor.st district won Id'thereby be sol.ed to i \erv marked degreo Xot oi.lj vould an-immense boon li n conferred upon'the wt'lers in convenieiice and m their produce to the . therebv, bat a great sav ; nR -.oulJ i>l-o Le efitcted ia tie upkeep of *he roads _ " - ; "N'o Mirh r 'lief could poss.bly cenloricd iipon these <ottlors b> the cons riifhou (il 'lit- Misti'rtfiii-AVaipi'kurin I, op Ini" fur j'lam \ears ;» rnmo, v\oi ' il thr.r liiib «ero c tartod at ouco, an.l (he 'oop-line, 1 would roiniril jour rcadi'ic. ran T.lv be-built pt °n ei.onr.ons ost The'ions'ruction ni tlis sections I i>roi>Oif, ihai-o sliould beaio nccd,io lioint i"U. cm h" accomplished wi'h'U a >er\ short fonod."