THE TAUPO COMMISSION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3636, 24 November 1920, Page 4

THE TAUPO COMMISSION.

WELLINGTON, Nov. 2k, The Taupo Totara- Land and TimberCommission continued taking evidence to-day. i Mr. .McVilly (manager of New Zealand hallways) said be did not think the line, could be satisfactorily taken over by the Government. "It could be worUtvi as it was at present, but not satisfactorily from a tourist point of : view. He thought the low speed at which it was possible to travel would cause tourists to complain, anil to. consider the means of transit unsatisfactory. He understood that 15 miles an hour was the limit whenever i there had been light lines. The weight of public opinion had always compelled the Government to improve and.bring them up to standard. 'Replying to the chairman. Mr, McVilly said he would not recommend the Government to spend £543,000, the estimated cost of converting- the line. Mr. F. G. Dalziell said the company would welcome a Government proclamation taking over the railway line. If this were done'the State would get the line at half cost. If an arrangement could be come to for future acquisition, it would suit the company best, as the line was necessary at present for transport of its timber. Settlers, of course, "übsired immediate Government acquisition, so that they might havq. Government railway rates. An arrangement to suit settlers might be come to with the State. It was impossible to estimate the value of the line 15 years hence because the timber values question entered so la'rgely into the computation.'