PROPOSED WAIAPU RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1519, 29 July 1905, Page 3

PROPOSED WAIAPU RAILWAY.

A conference of the Borough and County Council 3 was held yesterday to discuss the question of ojlight ra i,'^ ay from Te Earaka inland to Waiapu. There were presont; The Mayor (Mr Townley), in the chair, Captain *ucker (County Chairman), and Messrs Matthews, Clayton, White, Bright and Wbinray. Cr Matthews stated that speedier means of communication than the present roads should be obtained to open up the district frim Te Karalta to Waiapu Valley. The Councils would have power to borrow money to construct the line. They also had powor to enter into an adjoining County. He mentioned this on account of the Waiapu qouncil’s refusal at present to have anything to do with the proposal, preferring to develop their county by seaborne traffic. His proposal was that the Government should barrow the money,the Councils to guarantee.any shortage of interest. The Publio Works Department would not be in favor of a priva-e railway, especially if it had a different gauge. The Mayor seid tho important point was to got tho proposal into a definite shapo. It would be necessary to get an Authorisation Bill put through the House. They would have to construct the line as farinland as possible so as not to compete with sea-borne traffio. j Captain Tucker said the Tramways Act nrovidos for linos being constructed by private ,companies, but not for a linei £oat would enter into competition with the Government railway. Mr Wbinray said the line would bo a splendid feeder to the Government line. • The Mayor said fche first thing was to cat tho Government interested in the proposal, It interest had to be guaranteed on money borrpwod it would be necessary to set tho support $f a public meeting. . Captain Tucker said the line could not be forced down tho Waiapu peoples throats. Local people would not favor a lino to benefit Waiapu people, when thj| settlers there would not have the lino a« any price, and would not support if. People in this district would not Support a betterment system. The_ 50 miles to Waiapu could not be built in a couple of voars. Top mnph should not be attempted, or they wouid (Sounder about ana do nothing. If they took a line 20 miles that would be sufficient. Let them go far as people would support them and wanted tho line to-go. Cr Matthews said ho wanted sometnmg done, and he was agreeable to 20 miles being made first. Twenty miles would take them to Wigan. The Waiapu Countywanted the line and yet thoy didn t. Although the Waiapu Council were against the proposal, a number of settlers were id favor of it. Cr Bright considered the schema was rather big at present for tho district to undertake. A line would increnso the comfort and facilities of settlers, but ho hod been assured by farmers in the back blocks that it was cheaper to pack wool out in oookets than to cart it in drays. It was decided that the Mayor, Ors Bright and Whinrey and Captain Tucker, Crs Clayton and Matthews, the committees of the respective Councils, obtain all information as to the proposed line and lay, it before tho Bailway League with the object of bringing tho matter for decision at a publio meeting