LEVIN-GREATFORD CONNECTION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 September 1910, Page 3

LEVIN-GREATFORD CONNECTION.

LKTtKH. MOM MR JAMES GRACE,

W'ritiii" , to the Chris tehuiiTih Press, Mr Jas. Grace, an erstwhile resident of Palmerston North, has the following to say regarding the proposed loop line between and Greatford:—When the Cairnai'-von-Sandon tramway first was don reived the idea was far reaching and ambitious in its design. The .Manawatu County Council at that period was composed of men whose superiors for energy, ability, and thor-<)ii"-li-'Toing it would not be easy to find. " Their idea was to make uloop line connecting somewhere neau Levin with the Manawatu railway, and join the Government service at Greatford or Marton, so as to become tilie main line between "Wel-lington-Auckland and Wellington and Taranaki, thus throwing J'almorstiMi. Feilding and Haleombe on to a branch line. All the mails and ! : ast trains \uTuld run. of course, with the more direct route to both Auckland and Taranaki. Pnlmerston North would then only liavt the Hawke's Bay district. The question of Foxton port was not under any serious consideration, the hope being, that they would have the main line. Now the Government has purchased the Manawatu railway, of course, no Government would assist to make a competing line on purpose to injure Government railways. Perhaps some day when the future develops, so th: , time is the main object, and mone\ tin- object, when fast connections are wanted as in my loved fathorland, fast trains will run on a well-mad*, line from Wellington via Levin, Sandon and Greatford, Marton Junction t« Auckland, but at present it would ho suicidal for the Government to allow private enterprise t<) work against them in a district which, for the quality of its land and its possibilities for produce, has no superior in this colony. f believe most earnestly that where a district requires help to develop its resources, such help should lit given or perfect freedom allowed b<. private enterprise. If this line is ever built, the Government must do it: but I think that Palmerstou .Voi'th. the metropolis of the Mana- , watu district, should make a tramline running both passenger eairs and goods vans from Palmerston .North to Rongoten, thence to Sandon. and on to Awahuri, where it would rejoin, going to Palmerston North again. Then there is a further inducement. A few miles from Rongotea there is a fine beach, whoremany people from the Manawatu and Rangitikei districts gather foi sea benefits. I have seen really thousands of people on the beach. A tramline running there during theseason must pay well, if run on sensible terms, especially if some houses were erected. The port of Foxton is a convenience mainly to Palmer.ston North and Feilding, but largo vessels will never 2,0 there. Jt will not become a L.vttelton. and with such traffic as it already obtains the Government railways' gain considerably. I don't think the Government will ever become a enemy to Foxton. and they novel can bolster the port so as to injure their own railway. Speedy trail • sit will ever be the ruling power to govern goiods traffic between Palmerston North and AVellington.