THE SOUTH ROAD TRAFFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 139, 7 December 1911, Page 7

THE SOUTH ROAD TRAFFIC.

To the Editor. Sir, —In your report of the discussion «n the Soutk road heavy traffic at yesterday's meeting of the County Council, I should conclude that the Council wished to handicap the heavy traffic -off the' road, especially the motor and traction portion of it. Now, this is a matter for the New Plymouth merchants as well as the Council to consider. If this road cannot be made to carry the heavy traffic , such as bringing- cheese and butter to our freezing works and .returning with goods to the settlers, it is time to talk about a, light line of railway to Opunnke once more. It is now about ten years since meetings for and against this line were held at various centres between New Plymouth and fipunake. The New Plymouth meeting was blanketed .by a late member of Parliament on the grounds that the State would not allow private enterprise to build a line, and therefore he would not assist us even to obtain a grant of £ 100 to survey the route. The Opunake meeting also decided against it, on the plea that flour and sugar could be put into their stores cheaper than they could land it, and would therefore injure the business of their port. Xow, I say that if a light line had been constructed through this 20 miles of good timber country, it would have proved a paying concern. At present half of the valuable timber and nearly all the firewood and fencing post material are wasted just at New Plymouth's door. Now I think as the services on the South road can scarcely do the traffic it is time to agitate for this line of railway or a steel tram Line.— I am, etc., W. B. DAVIES. New Plymouth, December 6, 1911.