NELSON'S NEEDS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 204, 23 May 1919, Page 5

NELSON'S NEEDS

SYSTEM OF LIGHT RAILWAYS ADVOCATED. T3y Telegraph-Prces Association. Nelson, May 28.

A conference of representatives of local bodies-and tho producers' organisation of the province considered questions relating to the development of the district, aud decided, to nrgo the Government to commence the constiuctiou of the midland .railway from Glenhopt>, to give Nelson representation in the lntive Council, and remedy anomalies in the now electoral boundaries of Nelson, Motueka, and Marlboroiigh.

The conference, affirme'd the principle of there being ono deep-sea port for the province, and a long discussion took place on the question of tho future of fruit transit, and favoured & comprehensive system of light railways to serve tho ports of Mapua, Motueka, and Nelson. Captßin Worley, New Zealand Engineers, who was' in chargo of light railway construction' for the New Zealand Division on the Western front, addressed a letter to tho conference strongly advocating the system as r. solution of tho traffic problems of the district. He favoured a 2ft. gauge, Avith steam or petrol engines for nanlajje, the speed being about eight miles an hour, enabling lines to be laid on ! the roadside, without danger to ordinary traffic. The trucks used in France would carry about i\ tons of fruit, and the district could be railed in a few months, and the system would be far cheaper than the "onstruction and maintenance' of permanent roads. The conference decided to send a cable message to Mr. Ma&sey nsking him to purchase light way material, for the district. ' •