PROPOSED RAILWAY TO PONGAROA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8235, 13 September 1906, Page 5

PROPOSED RAILWAY TO PONGAROA.

MATTER DISCUSSED BY THE CHAMBER OF COM MERCK. A question of considerable import anoe to Masterton, viz., the establish ment of a light-line railway between Mastertcu and Pongaroa was discussed at a special meeting of the Masterto'n Chamber of Commeroe, held yesterday afternoon. There were presect:~Mesars D. Donald (chairman), J. C. Ewington, 0. E. I Daniell, J. D. Cruiokshank, W. B. Chennells, M. Caselberg, C. Graham and E. E. Chamberlain. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. B. Muodie, J. B. Keith, and G. C. Sumraerell. Mr P. Neilsen, Chairman of the Pongaroa Railway League, and Mr Eli Smith, were also in attendance. The Chairman explained the object uf the meeting, and stated that the matter had been discussed on a previous occoasion by tho Chamber, but there were still one or two matters in connection with which the Chamber would like to obtain some information from the settlers of Pongaroa. He felt sure that the business people of Masterton would assist in the movement, and if a continuous agitation was kept up the railway in question would be an accomplished fact before many others in the colony. From personal experience be knew that the country around Pongaroa was suitable for close settlement. He claimed that there was no piece of country in New Zealand more deserving of a railway than that around Pongaroa. The residents of Eketahuna were bestirring themselves in the matter, and were endeavouring to secure the outlet for the Pongaroa railway at Eketahuna. Pabiatua residents were also aiming at securing the outlet for their town, Masterton should be alive to its own interests, and secure the outlet for this town. He felt sure that if the railway oame to Masterton the town -would go atiead rapidly. What thg residents wanted was the terming of the railway to be Masterton a one end, and Dannevirke or Waipukurau at the other. Mr Neilsen stated that very little had been done in connection with the movement in Pongaroa |beyoud forming a Railway League for the purpose of securing a line. The setters of Pongaroa had recognised tbat either Maaterton or Pabiatua would nave to be tbe outlet for the railway, and accordingly they had decided to agitate that Masterton befmade the terminus at one end, and Wcfipupurau at tho other. If they found tbat they could not get the line to Masterton then they would try some other route—bat not before. There was no stretch of oountry in the North Island that required a railway more than that around Pongaroa. They were unable to make roads in the district, because metal could not be obtained. The country was good grazing oountry, and all of it would oarry one and a-balf sheep to the acre; It was all fit tv cut* up into small allotments, in fact, at the present time, there was a petition to the Government in circulation in the district asking tbat the large estates in tbe district be out up. Some of the country was also suitable for dairying. The speaker mentioned that at the present time it cost 7s 6d to get a bale of wool to Wellington from Pongaroa by sea, exclusive of cartage from Pongaroa to the coast, while after carting the wool to Pabiatua and sending it from there to Wellington by rail it only cost 6s. In answer to a question Mr Neil sen said that the proposed line would pass within about 18 mile's of the Kast Coast.

The Chairman mentioned that the distance between Masterton, and Waipakurau over the proposed railway„route was 72 miles, while it was*loo milea over the existing railway. The ohanoea were that with the new railway the route to Napier would bo shortened. Mr Daniell referred to the agitation that had been made some years ago for the light-line of , railway to Pongaroa. He stated that the Pongaroa settlers had then declared that Masterton was the natural outlet for a railway from Pongaroa. The country to be served by the proposed railway, explained Mr Daniell, was diamond shaped with Masterton at one end, Waipukurau at the other, and Pougaroa in the centre. It was proposed at the time of the last agitation that a company should be formed to construct the line, and accordingly representations were made to the Government. But both Sir Joseph Ward and the late Mr Seddon had declared that if the line was to be made, it would be made by the Government, and the Government would give no facility to the settlers to make the line themselves. All that could be done ,now was to continuously agitate for the railway. They must not only think of Masterton but of the back country that the railway would open up. He believed that the lend around Pongaroa was only one-third of the value of that around Mauriceville. The only freapon that he could see for the land at Mauriceville being more valuable was the fact that it was served by a railway. It might be suggested that the line be taken in a more easterly direotion than that originally proposed, so as to allow of more country being opened up. Any unbiased person, deoiared Mr Daniell, oould see the desirability of the railway. It might be possible to get a report from the Government on the matter—perhaps through Mr Hogg.

Mr Eli Smith, who took a prominent part in the last agitation for the railway, considered that thuy all had one object in view, and that was to open up the back country. Wellington was the main port of this part of the colony, and the easiest route to that port from Pongaroa was through the Wairarapa. The land around Potigarna was equal to any in the Forty-mile Bush. With regard to the route of the proposed line, he thought that might be left to the Government to settle. In conclusion Mr Smith said that he would be only too glad to assist in the movement in any way possible. Mr Caselberg thought that a point mentioned by Mr Neilsen worth impressing on the Government was the

difficulty of making roads in the Pongaroa distriot. A light-lino railway would greatly serve the struggling settlers about whose welfare the Government appeared to be greatly concerned. Mr Ewiugton thought that Mr Dan jell's suggestion that the line should be taken in a more easterly direotion than the line proposed by Mr Dobson was a good one. They all knew the quality of the country about Tinui aud other largo blocks of laud in that direction that would bo served by a railway. He thought that a railway leaaue, to include all the interested residents should be formed, with the Chamber of Commerce acting as the central body in Masterton. Mr Neilsen thought fcnat iu tho meantime Masterton by tho headquarters of the leugue. Touching on the construction of the lino, the speaker said: "Stick to tho standard gauge with a lighter permanent way, and of course lighter rolling stock." Mr Daniell advocated Pongaroa being' in the oeutre of the league. Mr Neilsen could rest assured that; he would get every possible assistance from the people of Masterton in the matter. "Don't let it be thought that a Masterton 'clique' is working for the railway; Pongaroa sottlers want the railway, aud we're prepared to back them up,'' said Mr Daniell. Mr Cruiokshank suggested that a joint deputation from Masterton and Pongaroa should wait on the Minister for Kail ways in Wellington, aud bring the matter under his notice. Mr Ewington moved that "the Chamber of Commerce pledge themselves to support tho movement, and representatives of the Chamber form a joint deputation with rongaroa settlers to wait on the Government." Mr Cruiokshank seconded th© motion, which was oarried. Mr Neilsen said that the settlers of Pongaroa were thankful to Messrs Daniell and Smith for the information given by them on the proposed route.