THE MOANATAIRI TRAMWAY.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3552, 14 May 1880, Page 2

THE MOANATAIRI TRAMWAY.

(To the Editor of the Btening Star.)

Sib,—Four issue of last night contains an account of certain interested parties attempting to obtain Government money for certain purposes. Any money which might, be applied for to assist the public bodies of the Thames in making necessary roads aed other works likely to advance the prosperity of the place we would heartily endorse, but we decidedly object to the Moanatairi tramway being made a cat's-paw of with the view of attaining ulterior designs by no means necessary for the public good. The remarks to which we take exception are most uncalled for, and bristle with private animus and ignorance combined. It is to our interest to keep the tramway in working order for cogent reasons: we submit that the fact of the tramway being worked for the last three years without injury to man !or boast—and during that time* the safe i transit of all the quartz required to its destination—should, in unprejudiced minds, be a guarantee as to its safety. About two years ago your journal referred to the unsafe state of this tramway, iff upon our representations and inquiry,* withdrew the statement, and yet the tramway has gone on splendidly ever since. I mention this incident to show that the present is not the first attempt which has been made to injure us.—We are, your? truly,

Small and Gobdon.

[We are informed by one of the gentlemen who accompanied Mr McKerrow, and learn that the main objection to the tramway is the cost of bringing down the stuff. It costs from 3s 6d to 5s per load, while at Waitekauri qriartz is con* veyed a mile and a half by tramway for Is 6d per ton.—Ed.]