THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1907. THE OHURA RAILWAY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 37, 5 July 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1907. THE OHURA RAILWAY.

Periodically we hear that efforts are being made to stir up interest in the Stratford-Ongarue railway, and it is safe to say that if the Auckland people realised the importance of the work to that centre, a much more active agitation for the speedy compleiton of the line would be initiated. The question of starting work from the Ongarue end was introduced to the Auckland members who passed through the King Country en route for Wellington recently, by Mr C. J. Ryan, and it is gratifying to see that the subject has already been mentioned by Mr Massey. The work done on the line up till now has all been on the Taranaki end, and a consistent agitation has been in force to push the work northwards. That is naturally the centre of interest for the Taranaki members, and their efforts have been rewarded. Unfortunately the work in hand is of no benefit to those settlers, whose natural outlet is the Main Trunk Railway, and year after year the pioneers have to stand a winter scige ; imprisoned by rivers of mud ! Two million acres of the best land in the North Island lies between the Main Trunk line and Taranaki, on the route of the proposed railway. At present about one thousand people are living in the Ohura district, on the Auckland side of the Tangarakau gorge, and when the district is developed by means of the railway and roads, it is estimated that at least ten times that number will be the population. The natural outlet for these settlers is the Main Trunk Railway. The land at present occupied is mainly

ia small sections, suitable for dairying, and as an instance of the energy of the settlers, it may be stated that two dairy factories arc to be started next season, and many of the suppliers will have to convey their cream on pack horses for the greater part ol the season. The conditions under which the settlers have to develop their holding's and live, are infinitely worse than those of any other farming community, and the cost of living, due to extra freights on bad roads so far from a railway, is at least 33 per cent, more than in outside localities. The hardships of the settlers alone form a strong argument in favour of prosecuting the railway immediately, though if there existed no other reason, the authorities might steel their hearts against the demand 011 the plea of bad business, or unprofitable work for the sake of a few. That such is not the case, however, is well known. The land is capable of the highest development, and with facilities in the shape of roads and railway, will become one of the greatest producing districts in the colony. Already the Auckland market is provided with some of its best cattle from the Ohura, and it is deplorable to think that such a district, instead of contributing its ! fullest and best to the wealth of the country, is retarded in every direction for lack of ordinary facilities. The reply given by the Government to all demands for railway grants of recent years has been to the effect that the Main Trunk line was an important national undertaking, and every effort was being made to complete that work before starting another. Now that the main line is nearing completion there is sure to be widespread agitation for other lines, and the Government must not be allowed to forget that one of the most desirable works in the whole colony is the Ohura railway from the Main Trunk line. With all the necessary plant in the vicinity of Ongarue there can be no shadow of excuse for not taking advantage of the facilities thus provided, but those interested must not be lulled into a false sense of security on this account, as hard experience has taught us that Departmentalism often does the unexpected thing, regardless of cost or expediency. Seeing that Main Trunk line is so near completion it should be strongly urged that a sensible policy be adopted in the matter, and a competent official from those works appointed to pick up the route from Ongarue, and make preliminary arrangements for a definite start when the main line is completed.