PROPOSED BEACH ROAD.

Manawatu Herald, 4 February 1905, Page 2

PROPOSED BEACH ROAD.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MANA.WATU HERALD*. Sir, —Re Mr De Ridder'a letter, published in your edition of Jan. 31st, that gentleman has evidently overlooked, to a very great extent, the comparatively unimportant (?) item of financing his “ Tramway to the Beach ” proposal. A line such as he suggests, crossing such loose ground, would cost from £ISOO to £2i)oo per mile at the lowest estimate, and the composite cars he mentions vary from £3OOO to £15,000 in price, according to gauge, horse power and weight, etc. I am sure any civil engineer will agree that such a line, as suggested by your correspondent, could not possibl/be built under £15,000 to £20,000 at the very lowest estimate. Even this figure makes no allowance for the acquiring of the necessary (

land along the route. Surely Mr De Riddercannot have had much experience in deputationizing the present Government, or else he would realize the futility of expecting the Government to give even a pound for pound subsidy when the whole country is crying out for the completion of much more urgently needed railways. As for expecting the Borough Council to “ ante up ” for this amusing tramway scheme, well ! Undoubtedly there will be a railway to the beach in course of time, when closer settlement and sufficient traffic warrants it; but first of all must come the fruition of some very much needed public works in Foxton, such as a town water supply, decent street lighting and better roads, But, unless the people of Foxton u Wake up,” the town will be in the same condition fifteen years hence as it is now !

Now, it occurs to the writer that a much more reasonable scheme for conveying people to the beach would be to run a coach line. Coaches could meet the trains and run down the present road as far as the Sanitarium. The Beach Road, with a little attention in winter, is an excellent one for heavy vehicles, as many know. I am sure when your correspondent deliberates calmly on the relative merits of the two ideas he will readily understand which is the most feasible. -rl am, etc., - One In Earnest.