STRATFORD-ONGARUE LINE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 300, 13 May 1911, Page 5

STRATFORD-ONGARUE LINE.

AX IMPORTANT STATEMENT. Speaking at the banquet at Ohura on Wednesday, the Minister for Public Works said he recognised that the most important matter in the district was the roadiug question. In a district such an this, where there was scattered settlement, the settlers naturally attacneo most importance to their roads. The Liberal party had for many years been endeavoring to carry out roading work .in the best possible manner. In a district like Ohura there was an enormous difficulty, for in the Taumarunui electorate more provision had to be made than in any other part of New Zealand. Nothing would give him greater pleasure than to be able to provide every settler in the country with a dray road to his door in twelve months. The question of the Stratford-Ongarue railway, continued the Minister, was one that had been in the mind of the people for some time. He thought the work at the Ongarue end should be commenced in perhaps a little over a yeai. He recognised that in starting the line from the Ongarue end it would be giving assistance to the settlers at that end. The line from the present point of construction to Ongarue would cost the country many thousands of pounds, but the country between Ongarue and Ohura. was fairly easy for raliway construction, and could be done for £28,000. He thought that when the work commenced at the Ongarue end it would only be v matter of a couple of years before the railway was at Ohura, as there would' be no engineering difficulties. Many people had the idea that the Stratford-" Ongarue line would be deviated through Waitewhenui and round the head of the Mokau. He personally favored that line, as it would undoubtedly serve better country, but at the same time he recognised that the people of this district must have facilities from the Ongarue end. He considered that the country through Waitewhenui, Aria,' and Piopio must have a railway in the future to join the Main Trunk at Te Kjuiti. There was splendid country through that way. The country through from Ohura to Ongarue could never carry the population the country at the head of the Mokau would carry, but the settlers in Ohura must have railway facilities, and he recognised that the Government would not get much revenue until the lines were joined.