TIMBER RIGHTS AND RAILWAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1920, Page 8

TIMBER RIGHTS AND RAILWAY.

EVIDENCE AT COMMISSION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A commissioner appointed to inquire into a proposal that the Crown should iU'quire the tramway and timber rights nt the Tanpo Tolara Coinpany is taking ev'dence. Captain Ellis, Director of State Forestry, in his evidence, mentioned that timber from the Government plantations near l'otorua would begin to be available in 1030. His department had land enough to supply timber for two generations. None of it would be served by the company's line. He thought, however, that access was required to the timber by Lake Taupo, unless it was decided to conserve it. Mr. Dalziell, chairman of the company, said that it was formed in 1002. They expected 500,000,000 feet of timber, but found there was or.lv half that quantity, of which 100/000,000 feet was still uncut. If the railway was not to be made permanent, the company would sustain a loss. A Parliamentary committee had already decided that a line would be of value in that district. Other evidence showed that in 1912 the estimate for bringing the line to the Government standard was £40,000, but it would now be .CSO.OOO. If the line was improved it should be finished to Taupo, which wor.ld carry a large passenger traffic to Eotorua.