THE OPUNAKE RAILWAY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 49, 19 August 1911, Page 4

THE OPUNAKE RAILWAY

THE MINISTER QUESTIONED. On Wednesday Mr. Pearce asked the Minister of Public Works whether, having visited the district during the recess, he would have an inquiry held and evidence taken as to the best route for the Opunake branch railway as follows: (1) Where the railway will accommodate the most settlers? (2) Where it will get most traffic? (3) Where it will be flie cheapest to construct and maintain? (4) Which route will 'be the best to relieve the roads from excessive traffic? Mr. Pearce added that any reports already made by the Department were made some years ago, when' the district was not so closely settled as at present, and exporte from the dairy factories were not nearly so large. Mr. B, McKenzie said two reports had been made recently on the route of this railway, one in 1005 and another in 1907. As there was evidently no change in the conditions since then> it was considered at present unnecessary to investigate the matter further.

Mr. Pearce, .speaking subsequently, said the answer to his question was a most unsatisfactory one. He said it was high time the railway was built, because it would pay ten per cent. If the Government would not build the line the people should be given the right to build it. He severely condemned the action of the Government in building other unprofitable railways and neglecting thi« one.

STRATFORD COUNTY COUNCIL ' ALARMEp. ' At the meeting of the Stratford County Council on Wednesday a petition urging the building of the Opunake railway was received from the clerk of the Normanby Town Board .isays the Post), a request being madeHfat the petition be signed and returned; 1 Cr. Astbury moved, 1 ind Cr. Mftjfell seconded: "That the petition be acknowledged, and that the clerk of the Town Board be informed that if Stratford electorate is included in the preamble the Council will be ■willing to support the petition."

The chairman then moved: "That in the event of the foregoing.j'esolution not being given effect to, the attention of Messrs. Dive, Hlne, Jennings and Obey, M.'sP., be drawn to the significant omission." This was carried.