LINKING UP THE MAIN TRUNK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 452, 11 March 1909, Page 3

LINKING UP THE MAIN TRUNK.

Conference of Delegates. An Enthusiastic Meeting. A meeting convened by the Foxton Chamber of Commerce, of local bodies interested in the proposed Levin to Marton railway was held in Mr Rae-Howard’s office on Tuesday afternoon. There were present: —-Messrs P. Henuessy (chairman), Newman M.P., F. Purnell, F.' R. H. Brice, J. A. Bush, H. C. Ladley (Marton Chamber of Commerce), J. G. Wilson, R. B. McKenzie (Manawatu County Council), R. Moore, F. W. Franklaud, Rae-Howard, M. E. Perreau, J. K. Hornblow, G. H. Stiles. F. E. Jenks, M. H. Walker and G. Phillips An apology for absence was received' from Mr Gardener (Mayor of Levin), in which he stated that the movement bad the hearty cooperation of his Council and on behalf of the borough promised to lake any share of the cost that might be incurred. Mr Hornblow stated he bad received word from Levin to the effect that they were willing to assist in the movement as far as lay in their power and were also willing lo hear their share of expense. An apology for absence was also received from Mr Feild M.P., who declared his sympathy with the movement and promised every assistance.’

Mr Hennessy after extending a cordial welcome to those present, briefly explained the object of the meeting which had been called to discuss the possibility of getting a railway line established between Levin, Foxton and Marton Junction.

Mr R. B. McKenzie brought up the question as to whether they would not be showing their hand too much by allowing the Press to take a full report of the proceedings. Personally he had no objection to the Press being present. Mr Purnell stated that so far as Marton was concerned they had no objection whatever. Mr J. G. Wilson stated that he could see no objection to the Press being present. He hoped before long to be able to convince the Palmerston people that the proposed railway would not do them any harm and if possible secure their co-operatiou. Those present generally expressed themselves as being in favour of allowing the Press to be present and the question was so decided.

Mr Newman M.P., stated that when he was elected to represent the Manawatu district he understood that a sum of money had been put upon the estimates for a trial survey of the proposed line. A few weeks after he had written to the Minister for Public Works regarding the matter and he had replied to the effect that no special vote had been made for this survey. The reply surprised him somewhat and he wrote again pointing out that this line had been mentioned in the last Public Works statement and that a trial survey had been verbally promised to a deputation from Levin that waited on the Prime Minister on September 30th last. He held that this question should be regarded as settled and hoped the Department would see their way to give instructions to have it carried out. It would be as well for the present conference to look into the matter and express some opinion that would strengthen his hands.

Mr R. B. McKenzie said that Sir Joseph Ward had said most distinctly that the survey would be made as soon as possible. Mr J. G. Wilson pointed out that the deputation from Levin alluded to had interviewed the Minister with regard to further borrowing powers. He had also been present and had understood that a trial survey would be made. He was satisfied it would be gone on with.

Mr Purnell stated that Martou was greatly interested in this work and it was considered that the time was now opportune for it to be carried out. The Main Trunk Line had been completed and they were prepared to do all in their power to assist the movement. He understood that Mr Newman- required some backing and he was prepared to move accordingly. Mr J. G. Wilson stated that on several occasions he had suggested to Sir Joseph Ward that he come up and go over the proposed route by motor. Sir Joseph had promised to do so, but had probably been prevented by business. If a deputation from this conference went down it would be a good thing to again bring the matter before Sir Joseph and endeavour to get him to come up and go over the whole country. He would find it very different to what it was a few years ago, as very material progress had been made since then. Mr Wilson also suggested that the Minister for Railways be asked to come up. Mr McKenzie said that the question before them was one of very great importance to the travelling public as a whole because it meant the shortening of the present route via Palmerston North by 16 miles. That in itself was worthy of consideration. Then they would get a much easier grade which was another important consideration. The line would be of the utmost importance tp the people of Levin because by it they would be in direct contmunication with the port, while to Marion it was mpre important still. There were things which might take place at Marton that he would not mention at this stage, but which would make a vast difference to that town. If

they were alive to their own interests they would do all in their power to get this line put through. As an indication of the amount of timber that was being sent through there for Saudou, he stated that for the month of November 68,000 ft from the Main Trunk Line had passed through. In December there had been 30,000 ft, in January 34,000 ft and in February 81,300 ft. When this got to Greatford it was only 8 miles from Sandon by the proposed route whereas by the present route via Himitaugi it was 58 miles. The Department were thus carrying it 58 miles instead of eight. He produced an old map printed in the year 1880, in which was marked the route they were now discussing, and also the line now in existence between Palmerston North and Devin. At that time, he stated, people were of the opinion that the Devin - Greatford railway must come, and did not move in the matter, consequently the Palmerston people, who were alive to their interests, got it. This was 25 years ago, and the work was not yet carried out. It was imperative that they should persevere in their endeavour to get this work done ; if they waited quietly they would have to wait a long time. If they could not get the whole work completed at once they might assist the local bodies interested in getting the train line extended to Bulls. That completed, the rest must follow. This was not such an expensive matter as people might think. The estimated cost was £2250, which would be divided among four local bodies, each of the Councils to pay, say, three-eighths of the cost, and the Foxton and Bulls Borough Councils one-eighth each. Even if the estimate were increased to the cost was still a comparatively small one. The Council’s share would then be about the interest on which, under the new Act, would only be about 10s. The tram at the present time was earning about 4 per cent, on the cost of construction, and it meant that a rate of only about i-xsoth of a id in the £ would be required. The receipts from the tram for four months were ,£330, showing a clear profit after paying working expenses, repairs, maintenance and improvements. This showed that it would pay if finished right through, and if they wanted to do that they must advance it bit by bit. He was quite in sympathy with the through line, but held that it would be easier to get it a piece at a time. Once they got across the river to Bulls they would very soon get it extended to Marton. Taking Mr Fulton’s estimate of ,£2650 tor taking the line across the Rangitikei bridge to Bulls, the rate on this would amount to about 76. on a If they could get this put through it would be the biggest advance that had been made for many years- A conference was being arranged with the various local bodies interested, and he hoped that something definite would result.

Mr Heunessy then invited an expression of opinion on the question of inviting Sir Joseph Ward to go over the country through which the route would pass.

Mr Purnell moved : That this meeting representing the Chambers of Commerce and local bodies interested between Marton and Levin being strongly of the opinion that the time is now opportune for the construction of the proposed Marton-Levin railway, urges the Government to carry out, with as little delay as possible, the promise of a trial survey contained in the last Public Works statement, and confirmed verbally by the Prime Minister to a deputation that waited upon him on September 23rd last; that Messrs Newman and Feild, M’s.P., be requested to present this resolution to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, and also to urge upon the Minister a favourable reply, and that a committee be appointed to act with Messrs Newman and Field.

The motion was seconded by Mr Frauklaud, who was of opinion that the Government should carry out their promise with regard to the trial survey. Mr Wilson stated that one of the great features of this line was the ballast that would be obtainable at various points, and in that respect it would be of very great service to the Government. There was going to be a, great scarcity of ballast. Some had been found at Waiouru, but this would shortly be worked out, There was another pit at Levin, which was worked out. There was also one at Palmerston, but land was so valuable there that it would not pay to continue to use it for this purpose. If the proposed line were put through the Government would have two splendid faces of gravel along the Rangitikei, which would be very valuable to them. Some of it was being sent to Foxton at the present time. It was a good heavy metal, and there was an unlimited supply. The laud on which it was found was fairly cheap, and was adjoining Government laud on which there might also be metal. Plenty of metal could be found almost anywhere along the racecourse at Bulls. The question of ballast was going to be a serious one in the future. In Taranaki it had been found necessary to run a line into the mountain.

Mr Hennessy stated that the Government would benefit very much from the point of view of the supply of coal at Marton Junction, where large quantities were qow required. At present it pame from Wanganui, but if the proposed line were put through, it could be brought from Foxton, which was five miles hearer.

The motion before the meeting was then pqt and carried qnani-

mously. The following Committee was appointed to act in conjunction with Messrs Newman and Feild : The Mayors ot Foxton, Levin and Marton, Chairmen ot the Manawatu, Horowhenua, and Rangitikei County Councils, Chairmen of the Bulls and Rongotea Town Boards, and Mr R. 8.. McKenzie, The question of inviting Sir Joseph Ward to take a trip over the supposed route, was then further discussed. Mr Hennessy moved that the Prime Minister be invited to take a motor trip from Levin to Marton via Sandou and Bulls, on a date to be arranged. Seconded by Mr Brice and carried. Mr Bush asked if it was not possible to form a committee in each district to help to push the scheme on and disseminate information. He moved that district committees be formed to work in conjunction with the central committee.

The motion was seconded by Mr McKenzie, and carried, Mr J. G. Wilson moved a very hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman, Mr Hennessy. He regretted his approaching departure, but trusted he would return to the district with renewed vigour and health. The motion was seconded by Mr Newman, and carried. The meeting then terminated.