LEVIN-MARTON RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 465, 10 August 1909, Page 3

LEVIN-MARTON RAILWAY.

SPEECH BY MR J. G. . WILSON. The most interesting speech during the banquet on Saturday was made .by Mr J. G. Wilson (Chairman of the Manawatu County Council) when replying to the toast of “ Local Bodies.” He confined himself principally to the question of the Levin-Marton link of the Main Trunk line. He said that he was pleased to hear that the Hon. Mr Millar had qualified a statement made to a deputation which had recently waited upon him from Palmerston, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa when he (Mr Millar) said he was glad to know that that deputation did not support the Levin-Marton section of the Main Trunk line. It "was clear that Mr Millar was not opposed to the construction of the link but that he thought it should wait. Mr Wilson quoted figures showing that train miles in the South Island exceed the North by 12 to 9 yet the exports were only as 59 to 95 and the earnings of the railway per train mile in the north were considerably in excess of those in the south. It was, ; he said, an engineer’s axiom that to reach two given points the route should be as short as possible in order to save wear and tear as every train mile cost a given sum, A reduction in the distance meant a reduction in the mile cost. Between Auckland and Wellington a saving of 15 miles could be effected if the proposed link were constructed. The extra 15 miles now travelled meant increased cost and so much less profit. The cost of construction of the LevinMarton link would be comparatively small because six miles was already constructed (from Foxton to Himatangi) and the County Council’s light railway could be taken over by the Government at cost. Even this, said Mr Wilson, need not be paid for in cash but in reduction of the debt due the Government. Further, the Government would not be called upon to pay compensation between Foxton and the Rangitikei River. He Said increased traffic would require a duplication of the mainline. The construction of this line would be the first step. He referred to the ease of construction and the splendid grades and curves along the proposed route. Wherever the line was begun it would be a paying concern —at any rate traffic could commence at once, north to Marton, south to Levin ; there would be no' service road to construct, the heavy goods for constsuction could be landed at the port and forwarded per tram. There was an unlimited supply of ballast—the best in New Zealand —from the Rangitikei river alongside the present tramway. This was also a consideration. Every acre through which the line would pass between Levin and Greatford, was first-class and Mr Wilson referred to the crops produced. Reverting to Palmerston’s objection to the construction of the line Mr Wilson said it was most unreasonable, as the line would not make one penny difference to Palmerston. A good deal of the traffic would go down this way instead of being diverted via Palmerston. Palmerston’s opposition began and ended with its Chamber of Commerce, at the head of which was Mr Johnston, but the general public had no feeling in the matter. If the Government would allow a syndicate to form the line it would soon be an accomplished fact but they wisely refused. At present money was scarce for railway constructive purposes but there was nothing to hinder the Government having a trial survey made of the route. Mr Purnell (Marton) said that during the construction of the Main Trunk Line Marton was' luke warm on the subject but now there was an unanimous feeling in favour of the connecting link — they looked upon the subject as one of colonial importance. He stated that all their produce would come via this line and be shipped at Foxton.

Mr McKenzie also referred to the subject and strongly urged local governing bodies contributing to the cost of extending the tram from Sanson to Bulls. He said a conference of local bodies would shortly be held to discuss the question and the rate to secure a loan for the purpose would be infinitisimal. He instanced the excessive freight of timber, etc., incurred by settlers owing to the roundabout route which had to be followed and which would be obviated were the line completed.