FOXTON-SANSON TRAMWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 470, 21 August 1909, Page 3

FOXTON-SANSON TRAMWAY.

PROPOSED EXTENSION TO BULLS. CONFEREFCE OF LOCAL BODIES. A meeting of delegates of local bodies interested in the extension of the Foxton-Sandon tramway to Bulls was held at the Manawatu County Council office yesterday. Mr J. G. Wilson, Chairman of the Manawatu County Council, presided, and .the following delegates were present: Manawatu County Council, Messrs R. B. McKenzie, Masters, and W. Dalton ; Rangitikei County Council, Messrs R. K. Simpson and D. Fraser; Foxton Borough Council, the Mayor (Mr G. H. Stiles), and Cr Gibbs; Bulls Town Board, Mr Coughlin. The Chairman explained the reasons for calling the conference, the initiative having been taken by the Bulls Town Board, who had asked the Manawatu County Council to favourably consider the extension of the tramway to Bulls. They referred to the needs of the district, and the convenience of settlers. Upon that, the Mauawatu County Council had passed a resolution agreeing to extend the tramway if the local bodies could agree upon a basis of contributions towards the cost. He detailed the steps taken to get an estimate of the cost and the legislation which would have to be utilised for the completion of the work. The delegates present that day had been asked to attend for the purpose of ascertaining what the other local bodies were prepared to do in the matter He said it would be necessary, before anything could be done, to get the consent of the various local bodies interested to sanction a loan for the purpose and, also agreeing to pay their proportion of such loan. The Government could be approached when it was shown that the money was provided. He then read an estimate of the proposed work prepared by MrFulton, engineer, and the cost of such work was placed by him at It was stated that the present bridge could be utilised for the purpose, subject to certain limitations as regard speed of train.

Mr R. B. McKenzie, in the course of a lengthy speech, in which he very fully dealt with the various advantages that would eventuate from this extension, said that in looking at the matter broadly it meant another link in the chaitl of connection with Marton by rail. He thought for the present the idea of connecting Kevin with Foxtou might be dropped with advantage, and that this end might be linked and the south end would naturally follow. He estimated the work to cost a little more than the Engineer’s estimate, about At a previous meeting of the Manawatu County Council he had placed before them a proposal regarding the proposition, which he thought the local bodies interested should pay, and it met with their approval, which was as follows : Manawatu and Rangitikei County Councils three eighths each, equal to and Foxtou Borough Council and Bulls Town Board one-eighth each, equal to ,£375. Mr Simpson said the matter had not been before his Council yet, but the back blocks were very much against it until they were provided with better reading. He would have very much pleasure in bringing the proposal before his Council at their next meeting. Mr Fraser said he could not lend his riding to any expenditure, as he thought there were other ridings in the Rangitikei which should be taxed, as they would receive proportionate benefits. Mr Coughlin, in referring to a small petition which had been presented from a few people at Bulls, asking that nothing be done in the matter, said the petition was worthless as it was not at all representative. He approved of the proposed extension, although at present he did not know the feeling of the Board he represented. It would be another step in the connecting up of the through line. Mr Masters said that speaking for the ratepayers he thought a proposal should he made for making the line right through, and it would be a mistake to only go to Bulls. He thought the ratepayers would vote against this, and Mr Dalton also spoke in the same strain.

The Mayor ot Foxton said that representing the Foxton Borough Council, he had limited powers as he was present to hear any proposals that were put forward and to ascertain what proportion it was proposed to levy Foxton with. He thought the Bulls people were going to receive the most benefit and expressed the opinion that the levy placed on them hardly sufficient, and on Foxton rather much. Personally he would have liked to have seen a proposal to connect with the Main Trunk line, but he believed from what he had heard at the meeting that the members present would not rest until this line was completed after the present extension |had been made- He would place this matter carefully before his Council and would communicate at an early date the result of their deliberations. • Mr Gibbs endorsed the Mayor’s remarks in reference to the extension to Martou, and Foxton’s proportion should not be more than x-i6th. He pointed out how a saving would be effected to settlers in the carriage of timber and wool, if shipped per the tram and port. He also referred to other proportionate to settlers, through the county, which the tram would pass. Mr McKepzie, in replying, stated that he would have liked

something definite done at the meeting, but he recognised the difficulties of so doing, but he would ask the various representatives to place the proposal before their local Boards, and he said that it would be understood that the bodies so contributing would participate in any profits that might be made, and in the event of the Government taking over the line, they would also be dealt with pro rata. The Chairman thanked the representatives for their attendance and the meeting closed.