Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1920. THE SANDON TRAM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2193, 23 October 1920, Page 2

Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1920. THE SANDON TRAM.

THE Manawalu (,‘onnly Conned is to be congratulated upon the splendid inainlenanee of its roads. The comparison is marked when one passes aong arterial roads in other counties where metal abounds in unlimited quantities. In this county (he metal has to be hauled principally from the Rangilikei river by the light railway, and wbre it not for this convenient moans of transit the cost of upkeep to ratepayers would be enormous. The light railway system has also proved of incalculable benefit to settlers along the route in the transport of,produce and merchandise. Opponents of the linking-up scheme between Marlon and Levin, which would (ra\erse (he present light line, have urged that such agitation has been brought about: and, fostered by men with vested interests along the route. This, on (he face of it, is absurd, because the Main Trunk dine could not increase the benefits and conveniences of settlers already served by Ibe light railway. In point of fact, il is very questionable, from a parochial viewpoint, whether the Main Trunk link would confer eipiai benefits on “the settiers ofihe Manawalu Cornuy. if, however, (lie natonal work of straightening the line is to he hung up indefinitely, the Dominion as a whole, ami not the Manawalu County, will suffer. With electric power from the Mangahao, il may he possible in (lie near future lo electrify the line, and eunihme it (o .Marlon, ami in conjunction with the Horowhenua County link up with the railway at Levin, The Mangahao electric scheme opens up much food for thought in this connection.