TO THE EDITOR

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 55, 11 July 1938, Page 3

TO THE EDITOR

THE RAILWAY Sir, —People in Opotiki are wondering why it is that Whakataue is not .supporting the Opotiki railway. If •my memory is correct the Bay of Plenty Press when it took over an Opotiki paper was going to look after the interests of the whole of the “ Buy of Plenty. .The said paper has maintained a very strict silence as regards the line Iroin Tanentua to Opotiki and if anything, has been pouring cold water on any railway extensions. One can only come to the conclusion that Whakutanc is full ol! greed and wants everything for itself, and if it

can’t get a particular thing, will do anything to stop another district progressing. The latest stunt is to suggest -that the railway extension to Opotiki should lie via Ohiiva harbour.

I believe Mr Semple when passing over the AY;pfyiii road said he wouldn’t spend J Upeuny on that country for a highway and 1 fail to see how he would support such a era ay scheme as running a line through barren country. It is high time Opotiki people

woke up to Wliakatune’s little stunts

B ,and see that their rights are upheld. 'The only sensible route for the line is

to go up the Opouraio valley a short distance and then put through a fairly short tunnel and pass down through Wanna mi and Xiikiihou. '\ ho line would thus pass through very lertile country and serve its purpose, which # is to open up country which is capable of giving good support to the line.

OPOTIKI laifJWV