TO MOTU BY RAIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 971, 18 August 1903, Page 3

TO MOTU BY RAIL.

(To the Editor of the Times.)

Sir,—Kindly allow me a little space to reply to your travelling representative’s remarks upon the question of railway or tramway to Motu. Your correspondent thinks that the chances of a railway to Motu ar6 very remote, and in support of his advocacy for a tramway makes the absurd statement that the rate of progress from To Karaka will not be more than a mile per year. It iB not much more than three years ago since the first sod of the Te Karaka lino was turnod, and a few months will see its completion to that place ; so if the same rate of progross is obsorved the line will reach \ the Motu in six or seven years. There is every reason, however, to believe that better progress will be made, as the line has proved that it will be a profitable one, and the prospect of a rich harvest from the great timber forests will accelerate progress. At the beginning it was looked upon as a toy, but still it has paid its way, and when it reaches Te Karaka the line will certainly prove one of the moat profitable in the colony. The district already has the assuranco that the Poututu section will be authorised during the present Parliament, and its completion may reasonablv be expected in from twelve to eighteen months’ time. There is abundance of timber several miles this side of the Motu, so it would pay very well to cart it to Poututu. It seems to me very strange that whilst the Government are doing their utmost to push on the line that so .many persons in the district, including your correspondent, are trying all they can to throw cold water on it. Is this the right way to help matters on ? I was glad to see the firm stand taken by the Motu Farmers’ Union in regard to the railway, and also to know that their action is endorsed by all the local bodies in the district. All that is now required is for the people of the district to be united upon the question of the railway, and if they do this it will not bo a long time before your travelling correspondent will be able to take his first-class ticket to the Motu. In the meantime he can communicate, as he suggests, with the outside world to see if anything can be done. But I venture and predict that before he gets his tramway soheme going that the railway will be where we all want to see it—at the Motu.—l am, etc., Settler.

Pink pearls are found only off the Bahama Islands.

There are nearly 400 reoognised bowling clubs in Scotland.

A German pilgrimage to Shakespeare’s birthplace is being arranged.

The total number of Jews in the world in 1901 was estimated at 11,242,665. Skating has taken on well here, and the Royal Albert Hall is .well patronised by its devotees. Advance the motor. The St. Petersburg post office department has ordered fourteen automobiles to be used in the conveyance of mails between railway stations and the General Post Office. . FOR 21 DAYS ONLY !-To reduce our Stock, we will give a Special Discount of 3s in £ on all Dress Goods. First-class Dressmaking at moderate prices. Satisfaction guaranteed.—C. Rosie and Co.

The Judge on the Bench, the lordly

M.P., The man .on the stage, .whoever he

be, The lawyer so grave, the jolly 'Jav-h Tar, The stern-visaged soldier ;who’s I>een in the war, The hard-working man, the knowing M.D., All happen on this one point to agree : Thae for very had colds the thing to procure > Is W. E. WOODS’ GREAT PEPPERMINT CURE,