LEVIN-GREATFORD RAILWAY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9442, 12 May 1909, Page 4

LEVIN-GREATFORD RAILWAY.

At the Conference of Chambers of Commerce at Palmerston yesterday, Mr J. M. Johnston, President of Palmerston Chamber, drew attention to the strong agitation to connect the Sandou tram with a PostonLovin railway. This, said he, would sidetrack tiie whole of the east and the Mifnawatis district coast, and it waa not wanted, and would dislocate all connections. It was not at all in the interests of the Dominion. He understood the Palmerston Chamber had the support of Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa districts in opposing the scheme, and they should combine together to fight the suggestion. Another speaker thought such loop lines through a country already served were not wanted, and as long aa there were areas without railways, [they should be left alone. The whole of that country was within reasonable distance from the present line. Mr Nash said Palmerston ooulcln’t favour tile construction of the hne, and the people between Levin ami Qreatford were quite satisfied with the service they had. Poston was well situated as to connection with the line to Palmerston, and the Snndon tramway, which Peilding used to some extent. He didn’t believe the line would ever be constructed, but if it were it would necessitate many more changes than nowadays. Oaptßin’Haydon said that the promoters of the line hoped to get the Main Trunk line to ran through Poston to save a few miles. This meant that Palmerston would he out of the route and Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay people would have to go to Marton to connect wish the Main Trunk line Thera was a very influential body of people trying to have tke line constructed. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Williams, seconded by Mr Pairbrother, “That in the opinion of the conference the proposed Leviu-Great-ford line is neither necessary nor ia the interests of the Dominion.”