LIGHT RAILWAYS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 82, 14 April 1913, Page 4

LIGHT RAILWAYS.

Discussing light lines of railway for t he hackhlocks, the Wellington “Evening Post” says: Engineers will always differ about the merits of a policy ot light linos in a country such as New Zealand, especially as factors outside ordinary engineering may obtrude. For example, a Hue costing from £2OOO to £3OOO a mile may he run through an area, where settlement had been hindered by roadlessness or routes all rut in summer and quagmire in winter. The line serves its purpose well; it provides a comparatively cheap outlet and,inlet for goods and passengers; it pays interest, sinking fund, and working expenses. The settlers have something immensely better than the old heart-breaking struggles with horses through the mud. But the line is light, the curves are sharp, the gradients are stoop in places, the average speed does not give palpitation of the heart, there is an agitation for a change, to involve a large expenditure in laying heavier rails cutting down curves and gradients, changing bridges, and so on. This

aspect of tho case was frankly described by Mr Ronayne, General Manager of Railways, when giving evidence at the Taupo Totara enquiry last year. Vet, even granting that district agitation for tho betterment of a light lino will occur, wo admit that a. strong ease for those lines in some districts can be presented. Both the Premier and the Minister ot Public Works have spoken sympathetically, and no doubt their words not rest wholly on a basis of layman impulse. It must he as:.limed that they have a backing of expert opinion for special cases. It is a matter c.f calculation between the cost of a 4 light railway and a roacl Tr.ctr. 11 °d well enough to retain a good surface in winter, and tho advantage of the railway in quickness of transit lias to be considered. The Government can do a good service by ordering estimates of relative costs of roads and lines (under all heads—first cost, maintenance, and so on) for various districts, in which some improvement of means of communication is urgently necessary. The first principle of profitable settlement (that is, settlement profitable to tho country as a whole, as well as to tho individual) is an intelligent provision of transport facilities. .