MASTERTON-WAIPUKURAU RAILWAY PROJECT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9091, 16 May 1908, Page 5

MASTERTON-WAIPUKURAU RAILWAY PROJECT.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BESTIRS ITSELF. The much-discussed proposed railway line from Masterton to Waipukurau, via Pongaroa, was again brought up at the meeting of the Council of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Mr J. D. Cruiokshaiik said he thought it a good thing to beep the matter before the public. It was a question of great moment to the residents of Masterton, and the benefits that this district would derive from the construction of such a line should not be lost sight of. The Chairman (Mr T. G. Mason) said the Chamber should bestir itself in connection with the proposal, as he had been informed by a prominent politician that the residents of Eketahuna were going to move "heaven and earth" to have the line connect with their town. He recognised the necessity for taking a prominent part in furthering the project, and also to have the terminus at Masterton. The proper time to make a forward move in the matter was, he thought, when the next session of Parliament opened. A member mentioned that the Secretary of the Eketahuna Railway League had stated that the terminus of the line when established would be Mauriceville or Opaki. The Chamber should bear that statement in mind, and do its utmost to have the line join the main line at Masterton. The Secretary said he had received a a communicaiion from the Secretary of the Pongaroa branch of the League rome time ago to the effect that the Waipukurau residents had shown lack of enthusiasm over the matter, and that it was the intention of his branch to endeavour to get the line constructed so as to connect with the main line at Dannevirke Mr J. C. Boddington said on looking up the map he had found that the line, if taken through to Dannevirke, woul'i not open up the scope of country it wculd if taken through to Waipukurau. The object in agitating for the line at the outset was to open U[> the large holdings situated between Weber and Waipukurau and Pongaroa and Mast?rton. It was imperative that the Chamber should do all in its power to have the line constructed lo Waipukurau. Mr Cruickshank moved, "That the Waipukurau branch of the League be written to and asked to appoint delegates to visit Wellington in conjunction with members of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce, and wait upon the Minister for Railways, and urge upon him the necessity for carrying out tho line." Mr Donald seconded the motion, which was carried.