TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1310, 13 October 1914, Page 3

TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

MEETING OF DELEGATES AT MARTON.

A meeting of delegates from the local bodies and chambers of commerce in the district interested in the proposed extension of tbe Foxton-Sanson tramway to Mar ton, convened by the Manawatu County Council, was held at Marton yesterday. There were present : Messrs J. G. Wilson i(Manawatu County Council), G. H. Stiles and J. Chrystall (Foxton Borough Council), J. H. Miles (Marton Borough Council), Hon. R. K. Simpson, K. W. Dairy tuple and B. P. Lethbridge (Rangitikei County Council), F. R. H. Brice and S. E. Lewis (Marton Chamber of Commerce), and E. Newman, M.P. Mr J. G. Wilson occupied the chair.

In opening, the Chairman said that as representative of the Manawatu County Council, he wished to make it clear that his Council was satisfied and quite willing to hand over their tramway to the Government or a Railway Board at a reasonable price. Still, they must see that they were amply recouped for their expenditure in connection with the tramway, and also that they were assured ot a suitable service in the future. He asked Mr Newman to briefly explain the Local Railways Bill which had just passed its third reading in the House of Representatives. Mr Newman said that the passing of the Local Railways Bill made the extension of the tramway to Marton practicable. The objection in the past to granting a permit for the extension was because the Government had not the power to take over the line at any time at a fixed price, and the Railway Department would not agree to any extension and connection unless it owned the line or was entitled to take it over at a fixed price at any time. They must have a right to do that, or they would not agree to the extension. He was satisfied if the line was opened the great bulk ot the traffic would go via Foxton which is now diverted elsewhere. The extension ot the line would be of great benefit to the Foxton wharf. It was very difficult to separate the two questions, but at present they were dealing with the tramway extension question alone. The question to be decided was : “What proposals were to be made to the Government in this matter ?” He briefly outlined the provisions of tbe Local Railways Bill, and made the following suggestions:—(i) That a special railway district be formed to extend the tram to Marton. (2) That the tram be valued by arbitration. (3) That the Government should have the right to lake over the line at any time, and (4) that the Manawatu County Council should be paid interest on the price of the tram as fixed. A railway from Marton to Foxton would probably pay better than any other line in New Zealand. Mr Wilson said the Manawatu County Council was working under the Tramways Act. If the tramway was to be sold the matter would have to be referred to the. ratepayers. The ratepayers’ interests would have to be conserved. At present the tramway was extensively/used in connection with their supply of gravel from the Rangitikei river, and the ratepayers would have to be considered in this direction.

It was pointed out that the provisions of the BUI dealt only with new railways, and it was suggested that a small amendment providing tor the taking over of existing lines should be made by the Legislative Council. The Hon, R. K. Simpson, MX.C., who was present, was asked to arrange to have the necessary clause drafted, and to move it when the Bill came before the Upper House. In connection with same the following resolution was passed on the motion of Mr Miles, seconded by Mr Lewis: “That the Government be asked to add a clause to the Bill to give district railway hoards the power to purchase existing private lines.” The following letter, signed by the Chairman, was sent to the Minister tor Public Works:—“Re Local Railways Bill now before the House. At a meeting of the various local bodies iuteiested in the extension of the Sandon Tramway, the following resolution was passed: ‘That the Government be asked to add a clause to the Bill to give District Railway Boards the power to purchase existing lines.’ It was pointed out that in at least two cases in New Zealand—in Manawatu County and at Tanpo —if a Board was set up to extend the line they would have jurisdiction over the part constructed by them, but it would be necessary for the proper working of the line to have the. whole line under one authority. If this power were given and a purchase made, it would bring the whole length of line under the Board and then give the Government power to purchase, which it has under the Bill, otherwise some special powers would be required for the taking over of existing lines.” Mr Stiles referring to the creation of a railway district said the local bodies should have some say in the matter. They should know what the proposed boundaries of the district were.

Mr Newman said a meeting of representatives would be held to decide the boundaries, which would afterwards have to be submitted to the Government for approval. Mr Stiles said the delegates from the local bodies had no power to agree to any boundaries. They would have t? refer the matter to their councils,

Mr Simpson suggested the formation of a committee comprised of four or five competent men to make a recommendation as to the area and boundaries. Mr Newman agreed with the suggestion. Mr Chrystall said it would be better to get each local body to appoint a representative. After some further discussion it was decided on tbe motion of Mr Miles, seconded by Mr Brice, that this meeting of delegates is in favour of the construction of the Sanson-Marton local railway under the Local Railways Act, and that the following committee be set up to define the railway area when the Act becomes law : The Mayors of Marton and Foxton, Chairmen of Rangitikei and Manawatu County Councils, Bulls, Rongotea and Lethbridge Town Districts, and Messrs R. B. McKenzie and F. Purnell. Mr Stiles said he was quite agreeable to act on the committee even if only to safeguard tbe interests of tbe ratepayers in his district, but he considered that before the committee defined tbe area the matter should be referred to tbe local bodies interested. Votes of tbanks to Mr Newman for his efforts in connection with the movement and to Mr Wilson for presiding concluded the meeting.