Thames-Te Aroha Railway.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 386, 20 July 1889, Page 8

Thames-Te Aroha Railway.

The following" letter from Mr W^Frn^pr, M.TT.R, has been rrcpived by Mr W, Carpenter, Mayor of Thames ;—; — "Wellington, Ist July. 1889. "Sib, — I ha\e ihe honour to inform you that- ) have had Feveral interviews with the Honorable Mr Mitchelson, Minister of Public Works, in reference to tho intentions of Government with regard to thjs work, "He hae kindly permitted me to see his private report on ik to the Cabinet ; also the report of the "RaiHvay Commissioners, and the proposed Public Works Statement and Estimates, from which. I regret to s^y, as I h<id telegraphed to you, notwithstanding the promiFes made, the Government do not intend %o do anithin? for our Railway. " It is only n^ht to Mr Slitcholson to state that his report is a fur one, pointing out the ■wishes of tie local lo lies along the line, that the money voted is sufiiciei t to complete the line to Patroa, or comjlete the f jrmation to Te Aroha, and that if any further money is bprrowedthe line should be completed; " The report of the Commissioners, however, stales that it really consists of a narrow strip between the hilip and the river Thames —there not being sufficient land to support a railway, — that the average number of passengers by coach is not, mo c than three or four daily, that there are good roads, and great stress is laid on the water carriage, that would not pay working expenses if completed ro Paeroa, nor even if it worn completed to Te Aroha, and that the making of this line would dm-rta partion of the trame from existing lines, thereby diminishing their profits •'There has bpen expended on the railway up to 31st March, £60,094 There is now in hand £35,323, less li-ibilities of £350, and the amount of the contract fox drains, now adver tised. " There are sufficient rails available lo lay the line to Puriri ; and to cornpleie phe line and provide rolling stock and equip the line fit to run, it would take, in addition to the Bum in hand, £6f),000. »• Now, what we ha\e to consider is, that the ooverunient are willing to expend the £35,323 a 8 the locnl bodies or any syndicate may direct, and are willing to hand the whole pver, ongivipg n satisf actory guarantee feoqomplete and work the line. "Now, the question is whether a railway with £60,095 alieady expended on it, a»d in fcftnd £35,323, making in all L 95,418, and which would only t&Vp to complete L#S ; OPQ, jg not a marketiible commodity. *' I have the honour to be, " S r, " Xqui uiypt obedient servant, » W. ißAgjji.t ,'