The Fielding Star. SATURDAY, JAN. 31, 1891. The Railway

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 94, 31 January 1891, Page 2

The Fielding Star. SATURDAY, JAN. 31, 1891. The Railway

■. ■ + It was announced by the Minister for Public Works in the House on Thurs day last, that the Manawatu Gorge railway-line will be open for traffic on the 10th of February. While we consider this to be a subject for congratulation, we do not overlook the possible complications which we may fairly assume to arise from the consequent increase of traffic which will be forced upon the Wellington-Mana-watu Railway Company's line. We say plainly that we have serions doubts as to whether the Company will be able to accomplish this with their limited staff and rolling stock. It is well known that they find a difficulty in doing the haulage the present open line 9 supply, therefore it is not unreasonable to expect they will be embarrassed when the Hawkes Bay, and part of the Wairarapa traffic is put on their line, and the total of tonnage thus be more than doubled. Of course extra trains will be put on and a few more men employed, but the public will demand that the safety of life Jife and property shall shall have a better guarantee than they are likely to get under the regime of the Company. There are two courses open to the Government, the adoption of either or both of which would remove the difficulties of the position. The first is the purchase of the Company's line, and the second is to complete the Wellington-Woodville line by filling the gap which now exists between Eketabuna and Woodville. By the first the whole of the lines would be I under one control and system, while by the second the Company's line would be relieved of a considerable amount of haulage, and thereby allowed to work within the capacity of their staff and rolling stock, Another not immaterial point is that by adopting these suggestions, the act of the Government would be much appreciated by the population on this coast from Longburn to New I'lymouth.