LEVIN-GREATFORD RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3555, 3 August 1905, Page 2

LEVIN-GREATFORD RAILWAY.

PARLIAMENTARY VISIT OR INSPECTION. A DAY ALONgTtHE ROUTE. .. -J2 A fine day on Monday favoured the Parliamentary party wincii, as'briefly staled in our last issue, inspected the route of the proposed Levin - Greatfoid railway line.

The party left Wellington by the mail train and on arrival at Greatford were met by Mr. Vile, M.H.K. for Manawatu, and several prominent local men. After being driven to Bulls, where a brief stay was made and several “ necessities” dilated upon (including post of!ice accommodation), and then the Manawatu County tramway was joined at the terminus. At Rongotea siding a number of vehicles were m waiting and the party drove to Rongotea township, where afternoon tea was dispensed and members were acquamtwith some further matters requiring attention. Returning to the tramway, another start was made and Foxton was reached at 5.45 p-nj-Here, as already stated, the visiters were received by the Mayor and prominent citizens.

SMOKE CONCERT. The smoke concert, tendered to the visitors in the evening; was _ well attended, over 100 persons sitting down at S o’clock to an exce lent cold collation in the Masonic Ha l, almost all seating accommodation bei : g taken up- After due attention had been paid to the solids, a star was made with the toast-list.' The chair was occupied by the Mayor, Mrß. G. Gower, having on his'right Messrs W. Symes, F. W Lang,’ A E. Remington and W. 11 Field, M’s.H R., and Mes-rs John Stevens, Donald Fraser, and others, and on his left Messrs J. Vile, A. D. Willis, D. Reid, and E. G. B. Moss, M’s.H.R., and Mr Oswald Gardner. Other prominent men were Messrs G. Simpson (president Foxton Chamber of Commerce), R. BMcKenzie (Rongotea), They. King (Bulls Town Board), B R Gardener (oresident Levin Chamber of Comrnurco), W. C» Nation and J. R Stansell (Shannon). The usual loyal sentiment, “ The King,” having been duly honoured, the S Chairman, before proceeding, remarked that now would be an approoriafce time for speakers to place their requir moats before members He proposed the toast of * The Parliament ” Mr Lang, in responding, paid a compliment to : be district through which they had passed that day. It was not in members’ power to make promises, much less to carry them out but if ho had his way the country would get much more than it did now. So far as the country they bad seen that day was concerned it seemed that a railway was desirable and would be easy to make, and he would assist it all he could. Mr Symes, alter complimenting the people of the district remarked chat the Parliament of New Zealand was second to none, and it was what the people made it. Reverting to railway matters ho certainly thought there should be connection between Marton and Foxton (applause.) He did not think so much of the Main Trunk line—they should get railways to serve the wants of the people. Short lines would pay best, and the main trunk linos were not so necessary as good mam through roads. . „ „ Song “ Will-o’-the-wisp, Mr Geo, Barber. Mr 11. B. McKenzie then proposed l,bc toast “ Our Visitors,” and in doing so detailed at length the steps taken by settlors in the past to help themselves to get commamca tion with the outside word. This line which they wanted was not, however, merely of local interest, it was a colonial concern. The present tramway was a paying concern, and therefore a proper line joined with the main line woo d pay handsomely.

Mr D. Reid in replying commended the ;«- Itlera fer putting their shoulders to the wheal. He thought the claim made out by the settlers would have the support of all who bad seen the country Mr Moss, in a humorous speech also promised any assistance he. could give Mr Remington said that looking ; at the matter from a broad point of view thought the main trunk Hu connection was of the first importance, and subsidiary lines could stand over, as their construction now would mean delay to the trunk lines.

fdries of “W..’’) He real Led the importance cff t-ha work done by tin ! settler? bufc thov did moS do it mmi philanthropic motives—they did it for their own advon'nge. Jo Jto North of Auckland jw»d m 1’ Waimaritno avd othoV i.i ■ .■triCb; ti ey had not eve" goon to~-< .3, and soldiers thorn s'botdd be consiaored did not ?;!- ou U- say he would oppose thir line, because be believed a v'-rWoUS insistence mou k r/oul« !-, iirvy the In on the trunk ibis. Hong, MmliginY moter-Caiv Mr 15. D. Rutlvemnd. Mr G. \ Sim proposed “Loer.l Bodies,” mouJoniritf several la.sv ma'tflrs apart from the railway which residents wished to see set aright Referring to the river he urged that the (lO'be.f'nraent should preserve the banks and grant assistance to the pilot so that the channel could be properly marked off after any change? caused by freshes. More wnarf accommodation was also needed The river was a valuable asset and if the Government could not look after it a local body should be given an opportunity to do so. Mr A. D. Willis in reading said he was in sympathy with id* proposal to construct the line by the ront6 they had that day inspected. Referring to the picture of "Waimarinn’s misery as drawn by Mr Remington, Mr Willis said ho bad not mentioned that the main trunk line was expected to reach them in a year or so. MrThos King(BullsT )wa Boardl also replied.

Mr B. R. Gardiner (Levin) pro- / posed the “ Dptnmoroial Interests of Foxton and Levin,” and in doing so said the people had every ricrhfc to advocate the making of an outlet for dairy and general produce. Messrs W. H. Field; M.H.R. for Otabi, Prouse (HoroWbonua County Council), and W. 0- Nation briefly responded. The latter con idered it would not cost £125,000 to build the proposed line, and even if it did the saving it would effect would pay interest on that sura. He prophesied that the lino would eventually run through, and further that another divers! n would ba made, starting from Waikanao and, following, too Waikanae valley and gorge, cross the hills and debouch at or near Belmont, on the Hutt line. This would give a shorter line, with fewer heavy gradients and tunnels than were now met with on the Manawatu line. If the Government could not do it it was a pity private enterprise was debarred from ra dting the GreatfordLevin connection. The importance of Foxton as a seaport had not yet been realised.

Other toasts were “ Agricultural Interests,” proposed by Mr John Davies and responded to by Messrs Donald Fraser and 1. Vile, M.H.U.; “ The Flax Industry,” proposed by Mr J. R. Stansell and replied to by Messrs John Stevens end 0. Gardner; and the “Press,” alfc-r which die ga heriug broke up a little after midnight.