ROAD AND RAIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 77, 22 July 1914, Page 3

ROAD AND RAIL.

/ OPENING OUR HINTERLAND

An important , meeting of settlers was held at Bio Bio on July 11th, for tile purpose of discussing railway and reading schemes. The reading scheme is fairly comprehensive and includes the metalling of about twentythree miles of road, a portion of which is in Awakino County and a portion in Waitomo County. One of tho objects of the scheme is to give access to the Waitanguru Dairy Factory, as a number of settlors are suppliers. The scheme will metal all the roads between Bio Bio and AVaitangnru' (10 miles from Bio Bio) and will servo a very large district right ' through to the coast. The cost bill he about £16,000 or £IB,OOO and application has been made to'the Government to provide half of the amount by way of subsidy. The proposed light railway is to servo Bio Bio and Aria district, and relieve the enormous traffic on the To Kuiti-Bio Bin and the Bio Bio Aria Road, tho upkeep of which is very great. After discussion it was proposed that tho Waitomo County Council should bo approached to borrow money to construct a light steam railway to Bio Bio and Aria, and that a deputation be appointed to wait on the Council to urge the matter. The suggestion was made that power should bo given to a private company to promote and construct the proposed line, but nothing definite was decided. The matter will bo brought before the Council at its next meeting. By a recent Act of Parliament, power can be given to private companies to construct and maintain light railways on condition that current rates be charged as regards freight and fares. Tho proposed light railway will go by way of To Kumi ami Troopers’ road and join the Alain road at the 11-mile, thus avoiding the hilly portion of road between To Kuiti and Bio Bio.