ROAD OR RAILWAY

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 190, 2 June 1939, Page 2

ROAD OR RAILWAY

COUNTY' COUNCIL DISCUSSION PUBLIC OPINION SOUGHT ' MEETING TO BE CALLED At tliei meeting .of the Opotiki County Council torda.y discussion *arcse concerning the" question cf the road and proposed railway between Opotiki and Taneatua. The chairman stated that councillors had met Mr. Ronayne, district engineer, re the Opofiki-Taneatini main liighwav. After at long discussion the engineer had stated that there was a good chance cf having the load sealed between Opotiki and Kutarere. The rest of the road would not be improved until the railway question was settled. The chairman advocated dropping the railway question and asking for a good road. Or. McDonnell said lie thought that, it was the town people that wanted the railway;. Cr. Maxwell- said that as long as county and town people were divided, they would get nowhere. He stated that if the council was unanimous they would be expressing the opinion of the. county, 'J&ic railway was definitely promised four years ago, and for the next 100 years, men would be put on just before each election. Cr. Black said it would be wrong to say the council did not want the railway, but- they should push for a road. Cr. Maxwell said he dad not want the railway a,s it would never pay. Cr. Hedleyi said that they had been told plainly that- they could push for the railway and get neither roacl or railway, but if they dropped the railway they would get a- first-class road. Mr. Merry said that the department said, they would step at Kutarere because the road beyond that had not been' defined. ■Mr. Moody said that speaking on behalf of the Railway League they had a definite promise of the railway. Cr. Hedlcy moved that the Mayor and ' County Chairman call a public meeting. The authorities wanted Opotiki to: drop the railway. Cr. Black seconded the- motion, stating that a chance should be given for the public to express its opinion. He stated that the authorities had their minds up not- to give the railway. Mr. Merry said that the AA'hakatane people were holding up the scheme by agitating for the AA'ainui route. The motion was carried.