King Country Chronicle WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15, 1913 RAILWAYS AND SETTLEMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 533, 15 January 1913, Page 4

King Country Chronicle WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15, 1913 RAILWAYS AND SETTLEMENT.

The principle of light railways ad a compromise between the ordinary railway and the costly and frequently inefficient main road for opening up country appears to be gaining ground. Like other desirable things involving large expenditure the principle, in j order to reduce it to a practical basis, is subject to certain definite modifications in application. The contour of the country through which the line would be constructed, and the quality of the land opened up will naturally be two important factors in inuflencing the Ministerial mind as to the practicability of any proposed route. The Te Awamutu people for some time past have been actively advocating the construction of a line betwen that centre and Putaruru. There is no doubt such a line would tap a large extent of excellent country, and would also shorten the distance between Te Awamutu by about forty miles. Bjth arguments are essentially sound, and when it comes to be considered that the traffic between Rctorua and the Main Trunk line souch of Te Awamutu is increasing enormously every year the shortening of the route is highly desirable. It is interesting to note that very similar arguments can be used in favour of the construction of a light railway between Te Kuiti and Rotorua. The great stretch of country lying to the East of Te Kuiti towards Rotorua and Taupo is practically terra incognita. The greater portion of the land is of excellent quality suitable for close settlement. In addition, the contour of the country is highly favourable to cheap and easy railway construction. A glance at the map is sufficient to indicate what an enormous area would be opened up by such a line and it is to be hoped the sugges tion will be brought prominenty before the Government if the principe ofight raiway construction is adopted. A considerable amount of settlement has taken place to the East of Te Kuiti, but the fringe of the great tract of country has barely been touched. The land lying towards both Rotorua and Taupo has yet to be opened up, and no effort should he spared towards obtaining due recognition of. the necessities of the district. The settlement of the land is one of the main planks in the Government platform, and an opportunity is presented in the district referred to which should not be missed by any Government desirous of carrying out an active settlement policy.