PAEROA-POKENO LINE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4984, 7 June 1926, Page 1

PAEROA-POKENO LINE.

INTEREST AT WIIAKATANE. DECISION TO SUPPORT PROJECT. The construuction of the PaeroaPokeno railway was urged by Cr. McColloch at the last meeting of the Whakatane County Council, and he moved that the member for the district be requested to support such project, Cr. Greig said he was doubtful if it was a wise thing o do so. He s.a,id tha,t. far too much money was being spent in railways and other social amenities, and when a matter of this nature - came up we should consider, whether it was one of the most necessary works. “I doubt it,” he continued. “When it is constructed I think that we as ratepayers are going to suffer. I cannot conscientiously say that this is a work we should support. I have urged upon Ministers that some check should be put oh the expenditure df public money. Many of the proposed railways are just pushed by the residents of a district for the purpose of having public money spent there bin works which are not warranted.” Cr. Pearson: “I have been over this country many times, and can say that this work ca ; n safely be supported. I think that railways are a back number, and will to a great extent be superseded by motor carriage, but in this instance it is different. We are badly handicapped in getting rid of our stock, and if this line is. put through we would be within striking distance of Westfield. It is not only going to benefit us, but it will ta.p a lot of other good country, and. I have pleasure in seconding.” Cr. Wlthaus: "You are not very optimistic. By that time we. hope our own works will be going 'again.” Cr. McColloch considered that this railway would really help their works. The motion was carried. —Wliakatane Press.