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DEPUTATION RE THE ROUTE OF THE MASTERTON-WOODVILLE RAILWAY.

A deputation o£ settlers of tho Fast Coast of Wellington waited upon the Minister for Public Works yesterday afternoon, to urge upon him the necessity of thoroughly exploring the Seventy-mile Bush before finally fixing on the route of the Wellington to Napier railway ; also, to point out the utter inability of the counties to maintain the main road through the bush. Amongsttliosc presentwero Messrs. Bcetham and Bharazyn, chairmen of the Wairarapa Counties ; 'Mr. Ormond, representing the Waipawa County ; Messrs. Bunny, Brandon, and Johnston, M.H.R.’s, Minchin, Buchanan, Waring Taylor, and others. It was pointed out that unless it was absolutely necessary the main road and railway should not run alongside of one another, as by adopting a different route a large area of fresh country at present inaccessible would be opened up, and further settlement promoted. The main road traverses a large area of native land, while further east it is known that a practicable route exists, where the country is chiefly Crown land, and there are several early settlements which are still without roads. The deputation strongly urged Ministers to have a thorough exploration made and estimates prepared of different routes, with due regard to opening up the greatest possible extent of back country. The Hon. the Mi sister for Public Works promised that the Government would go fully into the matter, and would not definitely fix the route of the railway without a thorough and impartial investigation of the circumstances, and a careful exploration of the country. The Chairmen of the various counties then explained the difficulty that existed as to the maintenance of the main road through the bush. They pointed out that in the first instance the bridges had been hurriedly constructed of inferior timber, and that they were now rotten and required renowing, and that a large expenditure was necessary to keep the road open. The counties were already almost overtaxed to keep local roads open, and could not undertake the maintenance of this line, which traverses about fifty miles of unsettled lands, from which no rates are derived. The case is similar to that of the ChristchurchHokitika and Napier-Taupo roads, both of which pass through unsettled country, not rated, and have to be maintained by the Government. The counties were utterly unable to undertake the responsibility of maintenance, and unless aid was afforded, traffic would soon be stopped upon this important main line. The Hon. Mr. Oliver replied that the whole question of opening up and maintaining the main road in the Forty-Mile Bush districts would be carefully considered iu the Cabinet, and the exceptional circumstances mentioned would bo taken into consideration.

The deputation then thanked the Minister for Public Works, and withdraw.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18791029.2.23

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5798, 29 October 1879, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
456

DEPUTATION RE THE ROUTE OF THE MASTERTON-WOODVILLE RAILWAY. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5798, 29 October 1879, Page 3

DEPUTATION RE THE ROUTE OF THE MASTERTON-WOODVILLE RAILWAY. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5798, 29 October 1879, Page 3

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