A Long-Felt Want

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 40, 14 September 1886, Page 2

A Long-Felt Want

The necessity for a cart bridge over the Oroua river at Aarangi is day by day growing greater. The population from the railway bridge towards Bunnythorpo is increasing very rapidly, while the facilities afforded to settlers of coming to Feilding from thence to purchase supplies or dispose of their produce, are practically neglected. I Instead of being able to come to the nearest township to do their marketing, they are compelled to go to Palmerston for that purpose. Thus, an immense amount of trade, which legitimately belongs to Feilding, is diverted from its proper channel. The train service is admirably suited for those who desire to visit Falmerston. Settlers living a few miles on either side of the line can always avail themselves of the mid-day train which takes them to that rising township, where they can make their purchases, do any other business they have in hand, and return by the afternoon train within reasonable hours. Those who desire to come to Feilding either have to avail themselves of the morning 1 train — which is too early — or the evening train — which is too late for ordinary settlers living in a bush country where the roads are not always the best, especially in the winter season. By making commumication over the Oroua possible with vehicles, an expense would be saved to customers and an increased business given to traders. When the Government was applied to seme years ago to make a cart bridge as an attachment to the bridge at Aorangi, the request was declined on the grounds that if such a bridge were made the main road would compete with the railway for passengers and the conveyance of goods. The absurdity of this argument is patent to everyone but a prejudiced r.ud nar-row-minded railway official. Instead of traffic on the line being lessened, it would be increased tenfold, as the experiences of other parts of the world

has shown. We believe if the Borough Oauncil were to agitate in the matter they would soon be joined by other local bodies interested, and the desired end accomplished. The business men of the Borough are more immediately concerned than other ratepayers, but all should remember the commerce of a town is the entire cause of its prosperity.