The Tranway Extension.

Manawatu Herald, 18 July 1903, Page 2

The Tranway Extension.

At the ordinary monthly meeting of the Manawatu County Council held on Wednesday, Messrs Taylor, McKenzie and Whittington, the committee appointed by the Bongotea branch of the Farmers’ Union to enquire as to the best means of connecting the Sandon-Oarnarvcta tram line with the new line, waited on the Council and asked it to support the project by supplying statistics, etc., and in other ways to forward the scheme. Mr R. B. McKenzie said the deputation would, not take up the time of the Council by an explanation of the advantages to the district of such connection, as members were made aware of them. The suggestion of the deputation was that a railway league be formed, consisting of the local bodies interested and the various branches of the Farmers’ Union, to endeavour to induce the Government to take over the tramline, and extend it either to Greatford or Levin, or both. The Committee desired to know what the Council (would do in the matter. Mr Taylor said there was no question as to the desirability of the connections, but also as to the best means to obtain them. Mr Whittaker also addressed the Council on the matter. The chairman said the importance of the undertaking would not fail to impress those who knew the enormous strides the district had made during the last, few years The only desire of the Council was to work in the best interest, of the ratepayers and for that reason the tram line had been extended to the Rangitikei river in order to carry out the metalling work on the roads in the fine country recently settled in small areas in the Rongotea district. The Council had no power to extend the tram line unless by agreement with the local bodies, while the cost to be incurred put it out of its power. It could only be done by the local bodies if they were allowed special concessions by the Government. After a few other remarks, the matter was defered.