RAETIHI RAILWAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1917, Page 2

RAETIHI RAILWAY.

I'OKMAL OPENING Wangauui, Dee. 18. An event of very great importance to the Main Trunk in general and Raetihi in particular took place to-day, when the long-looked-for formal opening of the Raetihi-Ohakune branch railway was performed by the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. W. F. Massey. There was a very large gathering from all parts of the Trunk line, both north and south, and among those present was Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P. for Taumartumi. Mr. 15. .T. Barry, Mayor of Ohakune, presided, and speeches of a congratulatory nature were made. There seemed to be a consensus of opinion that there was a community of interest between these central districts and Wangamii, and anticipations were held that eventually the Raetibi line would be extended through the Parapara Valley to Wanganui, thus bringing the large tract of valuable agricultural and pastoral hinterland into close contact with its port on the West Coast. The first train for Raetihi left Ohakune at 9 a.m., and was crowded. Upon arrival, the visitors were welcomed by the chairman and members of the Town Board, also members of the Chamber of Commerce, and were shown some of the prominent places of the town. Subsequently, when the Prime Minister and party journeyed over the line, crowds of settlers and timber men cheered the train en route. Upon arrival at Raetihi Mr. Massey received a great ovation He offered his best congratulations to the townspeople of Raetihi and the settlers of the district, at the successful completion cf the railway, which, he was sure, would prove a great factor in the more speedy development of the Waimarino, which possessed auch tremendous possibilities, both aa regards the timber industry and the opening up of a very fine block of agricultural and pastoral country. Other congratulatory speeches were also made.

The first sod of this new railway was turned by the Hon. R. McKehzie on February 10, 1012. It taps the Main Trunk at the eastern end of Ohakime railway yard, and ia .about eight miles in length. The grade on the whole is a fairly easy one, the stillest portion being jiear the approach to the main line, where thcgrade is about 1 in 50. •;■ No tunnels or heavy cuttings were encountered in the construction. The present route was selected in preference to the Rangataua route, and is U mileft shorter than the one proposed' to be continued. •