LIGHT RAILWAY SYSTEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1920, Page 5

LIGHT RAILWAY SYSTEM.

HAMILTON TO WEST COAST. GOODS AND PASSENGERS. The proposal to link up Hamilton, with Raglan and Kawhia by means of a light railway similar to those which proved so useful in France and Belgium has aroused considerable interest iu the district. If legislative authority can be obtained to provide for the construction of narrow gauge lines, there is every probability that the proposal will be carried into effect.

The proposal is to construct a line from the Main Trunk line at Franktou Junction to Karamu, where one branch line will be taken to Raglan and another to Kawhia, tapping the Moerangi Block en route. Goods from the two ports could be conveyed to Hamilton. Provision would also be made to carry passengers. The engineers, Captains H. D. Dansey, D, Bruce, and H. Worley, consider that in addition to goods and passengers the carriage of lime, coal, fisii, and timber would be sufficient to make the line a payable proposition. At Karamu there is already a lime works established, and a light railway would be a great factor iu distributing lime to settlers. In the vicinity of Whatawhata there is an undeveloped coal seam. The coal is considered good enough for household purposes, and at the present time is being used by the surrounding settlers. The Moerangi Block comprises 40,000 acres, and when opened up would make excellent country for pastoral purposes. The possibilities of Kawhia as a port are important. At the present time vessels drawing SO fee.t of water can berth at the wharf, and with further expenditure the port could be adapted to berth many large vessels. ' The cost of a light railway such as is proposed is estimated at £I4OO a mile, as against .C4OOC- for the standard gauge.

According to Captain Dansey there is at present in France and England a large quantitv of light railway equipment and rolling stock, and he recommends that steps be taken to secure some of the plant and equipment.