Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, NOV. 1, 1902. The Through Line.

Manawatu Herald, 1 November 1902, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, NOV. 1, 1902. The Through Line.

The spasmodic efforts made to secure attention to the superior route for the Government railway to 'Wellington are again in evidence, this time in a letter by a Marten resident to the Wanganui Herald, In it he says—“ Journals that everlastingly condemn our increasing debt screech furiously for the addition of another million to purchase this line. To the average individual it seems somewhat inconsistent. Before the Government thought of buying it the shares were selling at 19s to 20s. So soon as the intention of buying it was rumoured shares jumped to 245, 255, and eventually to 80s. When the Enabling Act passed out shares fell to 27s again. The Act of Incorporation does not allow the company to pay more than 7 per cent interest; so that the offer of 80s per share is a very fair one indeed. It must be born in mind that a line from Marton via Poxton and Waikanae to the Hfttt can be built and equipped for £400,000, or less than half the cost of the Manawatu Railway, in addition to which this line would avoid the moving hills beyond Paikakariki, and must come sooner or later.” We have, for years, pointed this fact out, and again only recently, but the curious part is that the reason we get no forwarder is from lack of interest on the part of the people who would be the greatest gainers. At present the Tramway, in reality a light line of railway of the same guage as the government lines, now runs from Poxton to the south side of the Eangitikei river, leaving a distance of some four or five miles to complete the connection at the Junction. The Manawatu County authorities desired to work with the Bulls people by running the Tramway into Bulls, if they would provide the cost. As the County found the money to their boundary the proposition seems fair, as the connection with the port of Poxton would be of much advantage to that town. To further assist the County the Borough of Poxton offered to find £SOO. However the proposals have fallen through. We think that if the Marton people had come boldly forward and made the four miles from the Junction to Bulls, the pro- \ posais would have been all carried: out. We know that by hesitation shown some few years back, the i Marton people lost the Junction at their town and ran the danger of the | town ROW goiug to the Junction. It

would be well if more interest was taken in the Tramway as its existance is a perpetual pointing to the superior route for the Main Trunk Line, and whatever advantages are deriveable from living on the route would bo secured by the Marton people. The fact that as the lines are now exist necessitates the Junction being used, it is evident that a Junction to which another direct line to the Metropolis is connected must be of extra value. Under the Government Loans the formation of the Line would not be an expensive work and the rate could not bo heavy, but the immense advantages gained by improved communication would be worth a great deal more than the outlay. When we are all busy considering the question as to who shall be our representative, appears to be the time when such an important work should receive attention and ventilation.

Wo have said nothing about the connection with Levin as that is bound to follow the completion of the Tramway from Poxton to Marton Junction, and until that is made the southern portion is of practically little use. What is wanted is communication being opened up with Marton and the whole business thoroughly explained. We have the fact, that from Poxton to the Rangitikoi river, a distance of 21 miles, the line is made—but one and a half miles to Bulls, and four miles from Bulls to the Junction needs making. Thus the Rangitikei County only needs to face five and a half miles formation to have the use of the work done by the Manawatu County, and as the country is exceptionally easy it should not be difficult to finance. If this connection was made that portion to Levin would follow as a matter of course as the great advantage of such an extension would be so evident. The great difficulty, mentioned at one time, was the cost of bridging the two rivers of Rangitikei and Manawatu, but both these are now bridged and built sufficiently strong to carry the present working plant of the Tramway. Wo hope this question will receive the attention it deserves during the present political campaign.