OUT-BACK RAILWAY ROUTES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 498, 7 September 1912, Page 6

OUT-BACK RAILWAY ROUTES.

To the Editor. Sir, —In a recent issue of the Chronicle, Mr Finnigan takes exception to my criticism of the proposed railway from Mangaroa to Te Kuiti. If this line was not necessary when the Ongarue route was under consideration, then it is less so now. What the Aria League wants the country to consider now had scant support from them when the Ongarue connection was its rival; in fact, Aria had many supporters of that line, if not actively so, they convied at the object by remaining silent, which is worse. I have not the slightest doubt that had this and future connections been considered fairly and impartially, the system of railways in the King Country would be on an infinitely better footing to day. I take the concern of the Aria League regarding our attitude, as proof that there is good argument in our pro- ■ posals, viz.: a railway from Mangaroa to Kawhia harbour direct. The Te Koura connection was never a generally ponular one, many peobple in Ohura and also the Minister of Public Works at that time being in favour of the Waitewhena, and the fact that a Te Kuiti connection is now wanted (I mention Te Kuiti for sake qf argument, the connection might be north or south of it) still further depreciates the Te Koura line. It is not reasonable to expect that both these lines are necessary in such a 1 imi ted space, and as Te Koura is already started we must make the best of it, and undoubtedly to do that and show its usefulness is to link it up with Kawhia harbour. When Ohura succeeded with the Te Koura connection they littlo dreamed how much they were prooably doing for the centre of the Main Trunk and Kawhia harbour, for by continuing a line via the Waitewhena across the Mokau valley via Mangaotaki, Ngapaenga and Awaroa, you bring Taumarunui within ninety miles of a seaport, and all' the intervening country within about twelve miles of a railway, and an outlet frum Kawhia to the Main Trunk will give all the railway connection that is necessary with a minimum of construction. I think Aria could strengthen their cause considerably by taking a broader view of matters, and improving the principle of tbeir demands. These railways are public necessities, and not boons presented to communities, like lands to baron 3in the old feudal times. The public pays for them, and the public wants their utility, and this Dominion can't afford to put in 190 miles of line where 90 miles will serve. From where would the Mangaroa-Te Kuiti line draw its support? If it extended ten miles to the east it would be encroaching on the Main Trunk traffic, so undoubtedly the bulk of its freights would come from ths north. Its nearest point at Mapiu to Kawhia harbour is 43 miles; from Mapiu to Mangaroa is about 27, so we see the bulk of the patrons would have to cart our frieghts 20 miles soutn in the opposite direction to our market in order to get to it; whereas by continuing the line north as we suggest the whole country would be seved to the best advantage. There must be something substantial to support any railway construction, and for this reason the Aria League would be wise to open up as much country as possible. It would be hard to find a country more worthy than that bewteen Kawhia and Ohura of being exploited with a railway, provided such railway develops the whole of the country concerned, and is so situated that it would reailse its exploited and unexploited assets to the best advantage, and not leave half of them so isolated that they could not be converted into sources of revenue. This part of the country has, and is, supporting the Main Trunk, and its townships, at an enormous expense to its patrons, consequently we want to improve this state of affairs when branch lines are under consideration. The country concerned is about 70 miles deep from Kawhia to Mangaroa by 5 miles wide, so it stands to reason ■' that a line through the centre of the length of it is better than a line shoved duwn in one corner of the breadth of it. I can understand the ignorance on the part of the Aria League when we realise how little they know of the country they are talking about. Surely it is necessary to be familiar with the country to judge of its attractiveness to settlement; its assets in timber and minerals, before rushing away with petitions for fancy lines. But the Government is not so simple. We don't want any mistakes about this railway. We want a thorough system that will develop the country, and connect it with the harbour, and also with the Main Trunk where necessary. Each has material bearing on the other, and must be considered accordingly, and I hope by impartial men who can sift out the legitimate and illegitiamte interests, and will decide the matter without fear or favour for the good of the country and all concerned. —I am, etc., V. L. JACKSON, Hon. Sec. Kawhia Harbour-Mangaroa Railway League. Waitanguru, September 9th 1912.