The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1903 THE OPUNAKE RAILWAY.
Amosgst the tumorous deputations which waited upon the Miners of the Crown during their late visit to New Plymouth, was one introduced by Mr. Major, the member for Hawera, urging the csnstruction of a railway from Eltham to Opunake. The need of rail way connection with Opunake is apparent to everyone who is alive to the progress of the district, but the best route for such a line is a matter upon which there will doubtless be considerable difference of opinion. No doub; the existence of the railway reserve inclines many people to what is called the Eltham route; although this is a misnomer as the line would really come out near Te Roti, considerably bdlow Eltham, and would really be a HaweraOpunake line of which Eltham would receive very little benefit. It would go through country which is already well roaded and within easy access of the railway. Looking forward 10 the early probability of direct stesmajs lying at the breakwater, the interest of settlers in the matter ef giving them the most direct acoess, and the Ike which will bring the most trade and save the greatest number of settlers is what should be considered in locating this line. There are two routes which are infinitely superior to the Te Roti line. One would start at Stratford through Cardiff, Kaponga, and Awatuna, and thence to Opunake. This bas the merit of serving a considerable area of country now cutoff from railway facilities, of junctioningat Stratford, where the Toko line junctions, and shortening the distance to New Plymouth. The other route is the Carrington-road line. This, in our opinion, is infinitely the bsst route, as it passes through a large area quite isolated from railway facilities, and would give access to a lot of good timber and splendid road metal, and generally would open up a large area of excellent country. Whether looking at the line as a collecting agency, or as a through line from Opunuke to New Plymouth, the Carrington-road line would be a most successful venture. Without gome such means of conveyance the development of the enormous area of country lying along each side of the Carringtonroad must be seriously retarded, and ils producing pawer very much lessened. The Premier does not hold cut much hope of any new lines being undertaken a while, but wo take it that if a good sound commorc : al speculation is put before the Government they wili themselves see the advantages to the colony, the district, and to all concerned. This is a matter which iutimatily concerns the people of New Plymouth, and they sho J! avail themselves of every opportunity of forwarding the interests of this line.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19030220.2.6
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 45, 20 February 1903, Page 2
Word count
Tapeke kupu
458The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1903 THE OPUNAKE RAILWAY. Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 45, 20 February 1903, Page 2
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.