RAILWAY EXTENSION TO BULLS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5329, 26 April 1878, Page 6

RAILWAY EXTENSION TO BULLS.

(From the llanyiiikci Advocate, 18th inst.)

The committee appointed at the public meeting held in the Town-hall, BulD, oh.the 3-Ith xdt., to draw up a memorial and statistics for presentation to the Minister for Public Works, liave brought their-labors to a close, and the documents, of which we append a copy "courteously forwarded by the hon. secretary, have, been sent to the> Hon. J. BaUnnceJthc. member for the district. The committee in their memorial make out a very good case, which is strengthened by the accompanying statistics. We feel sure that ■ the member will, use his best exertions , to ensure tho granting of the prayer of the memorialists. As we liave already pointed out on previous occasions, the He of the country is such that a railway can be constructed at a minimum of cost say from £IO,OOO to £12,000 —‘and the estimated returns would yield a very fair profit after the working expenses have been deducted. We trust that we shall shortly hear of surveyors being on the ground, for we feel convinced that their report cannot but be favorable scheme. In the event of the Government deciding to construct the line, we hope that the residents of Bulls will take warning from Marton, and not quietly allow the station to be located at an inconvenient distance from the township. The following is the text of tho memorial and of the schedule accompanying the same : “ To the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington.

“ 1, That the Hue of railway between Wanganui and Foxton pas.-es through the county of Rangitikoi at a distance of four miles from the town of Bulls. “ 2. That the town of Bulls, situated as it is at the intersection of the Great North-Wes-tern-road with the road connecting tho northern and southern extremities of the county of R:\ngitikei, is the centre of a populous and thriving district, carrying on a very considerable trade in timber, cereals, wool, stock, and general merchandise, as is mure particularly shown by the schev'lulc hereunto annexed, marked ‘A/ which trade, with more or less regularity, is at present carried on by means of waggon**, and of steamers and other vessels entering and leaving the Rangitikoi River, at a distance of twelve miles from Bulls. This trade would, iu the opinion of your memorialists, be absorbed by a short line of railway connecting Bulls with tho Greatford station on the Wanganui and Foxon lino. “3. That the country lying between tho Greatford.station and Bulls is, comparatively speaking, level, and is perfectly open, with no stream or creek to be crossed, thereby presenting no engineering difficulty whatever. That only two owners of land would have to be dealt with, and that the cost of the proposed line would therefore necessarily be reduced to a minimum.

“ 4. That your memorialists believe that if the said line were constructed it would yield a considerable profit upon the outlay after deducting working expenses, the town of Bulls alone showing an increase this year of 30 per cent, in rateable value over last year’s returns, which commercial activity your memorialists liave every reason to believe is proportionately participated in by the whole of the district interested in the proposed branch line. “5. Your memorialists therefore humbly request that you will be pleased to order the immediate survey of the proposed line, in order that if satisfied with the representations of tins memorial the Government may proceed without further delay with the construction of the said lino. And your memorialists will ever pray, &o.” [Here follow 15G signatures of landowners and settlers.] iSf/iEDUf.E A enumerates hi detail the imports, showing a total of 2010 tons. 2000 tons imports at an average of sd. per ton per mile, say 4 miles .. .. £IOO 13 4 1500 tons sawn timber sent to Mattrm and vicinity, which would not be sent by vail if not extended to Bulls, say at 2s. fid 187 10 0 400 bales wool, now sent to Wanganui.. OKI 4 800 bales of wool, now sent by river, and which would be sent by rail if extended to Bui’s, at say Js. .. .. 15 0 0 100 tons tallow, hides, produce, amt other exports, at say Is. 8d 8 0S Flour and grain imports and exports, say 100 0 0 500 tons firewood, which would not bo sent if tho line is not extended to Bulls 41 18 4 Live stock, say 50 0 0 Passenger trahlc, including sale and race days 300 0 0 Parcels, etc. 50 0 0 Total revenue per annum, to commence witli £925 10 8 The following letter accompanying the memorial was sent to the Hon. J. Ballancc, M.H.R.:

“ Sir,—l have tho honor to inform you that on the 14th day of March last a meeting was convened by circular, of the principal landowners, settlers, and residents in and around this town, for tho purpose of taking into consideration tho desirability of having tho railway extended to Bulls. There was a full attendance, and Mr. James Bull occupied tho chair. A series of resolutions was unanimously passed, of which tho following is a copy; “ Ist. That in tho opinion of this meeting it is highly desirable, in tho best interests of tho town and district, Unit tho railway should be extended from the Greatford station to the town of Bulls, and this meeting pledges itself to support every legitimate means that may be found necessary to obtain this object. “ 2nd. That a committee be appointed to urge upon the Government tho necessity that exists for giving a speedy effect to the first resolution, and to take such other steps as they may deem necessary, either by memorial or deputation, in placing the matter fairly before tho Government. “ 3rd. That the member for tho district be written to, asking him to use his best efforts in getting the railway extended to Bulla as early as possible. “ In accordance with the above resolutions, the committee prepared a memorial and schedule of traffic on the proposed line, and I am instructed to enclose tho same to you, and to respectfully request that as our representative you will bo good enough to present the same to tho proper quarter, and that you will back it up with all your well-known energy and influence, as the matter is of vital importance to tho well-being of tho whole of this end of the district.

“ I may be permitted to state that tho committee are of opinion that if anything the traffic is under-estimated iu tho schedule.—l have, &c., - i. 1 ... /‘Tiros. iluNiio, ~' a Hubl Secretary Kail way Committee. “Bullu, April 17, Io7o.”