UTIKU-LOWER MOAWHANGO TRAM.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8761, 12 March 1907, Page 2

UTIKU-LOWER MOAWHANGO TRAM.

Mr R. E. Beckett, Chairman of the Raugitikei County Council, being unable to accompany the Minister of Lands over tho proposed tram line at Utikh to-day, journeyed down to Peilding yesterday for the purpose of 1 interviewing the Hon. Mr McNab on tho subject. Mr Beckett states that the matter was thoroughly and exhaustively discussed, and that, provided the Minister is satisfied that the route is. practical and easily made a satisfactory arrangement will he entered into between Government and the Council on the basis of Government advancing tho money and the Council undertaking the work and when completed working the line. Mr Beckett strongly opposed the money being advanced on the ordinary Government Loans to Local Bodies plan, pointing out that tho rate would bo a crushing one to settlers when the royalties were exhausted. Tiie Minister was fully alive to the position, statiugthat the timber must pay for the work and not tho settlers, who have sold on “a no-access basis. ” Of course tho Government timber was not sold yet and the price could be regulated accordingly. Mr McNab thought a short Act of Parliament would be required to give necessary powers to advance the money and to regulate the tariff bn the tram.