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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3561, 26 May 1880, Page 2

The Railway Commission will be here on Friday evening, and will take evidence immediately on their arrival. The local committee have been hard at work collecting evidence, and the Commission will not only have the sworn testimony of witnesses to the necessity of the Thames Valley Bailway, but they will have the important addition of statistical information together with the opinions of men thoroughly acquainted with the amount and quality of the land the railway would open up. There is no doubt whatever of the necessity of the Thames having railway communication with the Waikato district, as it would be advantageous to all parties. Apart from the slendid tracts of land it would open up for speedy settlement, it would enable Thames people to obtain coal for a much less price than that obtained from the Bay of Islands. The coal obtained from Huntly could be brought to the Thames by the proposed line for a great deal less than the price we are now paying. The Waikato is rapidly increasing in population, and the progress of settlement both in that district and the Aroha would be much furthered by the proposed railway. We hope that the local committee will be in a position to thoroughly convince the Commissioners of the necessity for the line, and if they are successful in doing so we have no doubt that in a short time we shall be able to go to the Waikato without having to undergo the tedious and expensive journey via Auckland.