Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, DEC. 1, 1900. The Extension of the Tramway.

Manawatu Herald, 1 December 1900, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, DEC. 1, 1900. The Extension of the Tramway.

It is a matter for much congratulation that the farsighted action of the Chairman of the Manawatu Council has resulted in the almost unanimous vote for a loan to extend the Car-narvon-Sanson Tramway to the new Bulls bridge. This is one more step iv the right direction ; many years ago the Tramway was first laid from Carnarvon to Campbelltown during the time Mr Thynne was Chairman of the County, and during his term of office was further extended to Sandon, its present terminus. During the past ten years we have urged its continuation to the bank of the Rangitikei river to tap the enormous amount of good road metal to be found there, so that we are pleased to see that the settlers have held the same views we have had. The Chairman has shown how much the County will save in the matter of road metalling by taking the Tramway to the point now decided, so that the expenditure is practically a money saving operation. We hold, however, that this extension will practically secure the permanency of the Tramway, as its opportunities for good will be so much increased, not only by helping the opening up of the fine country of Manawatu by good roads, but by placing the facilities for cheap carriage to the business men and settlers of Bulls. Competition in trade is at present keen, and as a district gets more closely settled, still becomes more keen, so thrice happy are those who have a quick and cheap communication with the capital of the colony placed at their doors. This competition in trade is bound, before long, to make the Wanganui merchants wake up to the way they will be cut by the Wellington merchants, who, by uso of Foxton as a port, and the Tramway to Bulls, \i'* I oiiivblo them to place thoii' goods

bettor than the Wanganui merchants can. Knowing the Wanganui men we can quite understand that they will leave no stone unturned to keep themselves to the fore, and the quickest and best plan they will see will bo for them to have direct railway communication to Bulls, not simply to servo Bulls alone but to enter upon the rich district south of the Rangitikei. The line is only some four miles to make and over easy country, so that the capital will not be great as tho new bridge at Bulls is being made strong enough for an engine. When that is done there will bo direct railway communication from Foxton to Wanganui, New Plymouth, and the Central lino. The extension of these three miles by tho Manawatu County makes tho above not only possible, but extremely probable, and a little energy on the part of Levin and the Horowhenua County would make the direct main through line. Wo cannot imagine that Levin will desire to show iudifferonce in getting in the way of tho Main North Trunk Line, as with securing also a river outlet within seven miles of their town it would suggest an apathy which the property-owners of that town have not yet shown. When the outlook is faced it is wonderful to think what a little push and public spirit can do to transform the whole prospect of a district. Writing is all very well, but Foxton needs a great dash of life and public interest to make the picture a reality. The possibilities need pointing to outsiders by an energetic committee, a willingness must be shown to take our fair share of the burden, some four miles of Tramway formation. That a direct line from the Marton Junction to Levin would moan a great saving in time, in mileage, and in charges has been so often stated, and readily admitted as to need no going into statistics to prove it, and such being the case, the line being a practically level one, it would be a good paying one, being so cheaply maintained. The settlers all along the route would be placed in an enviable position as to carriage, and we shou'd not in any way, by doing good to ourselves, injure our neighbours. This brings us to the point where the energy shown by the settlers years ago, by which the important connection with Sanson was obtained, is wanting. With something of the sort brought into play now the whole programme could bo accomplished, and our thanks are due to the members of the Manawatu County Council, as well as to their chairman, that they have appreciated their position and duties in as far as their County is concerned.