THAT SITE QUESTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9596, 16 September 1909, Page 5

THAT SITE QUESTION.

(To the Editor)

Sir—As there seems to be a ' great amount of controversy and 1 diversity of opinion regarding the : site for ,the new freezing works, 1 < think it may be of some interest to , the general public and all concerned to know that two property-holders at Pitfeoii Bush were approached by : one of the leading meat companies in Wellington with a view to secur- ( ing a site in the Wairarapa for their works, but unfortunately the parties concerned could not come to term?, and the industry was thus lost to the Wairarapa. The fact that the directors of tnis company, who are shrewd, "capable and experi • enced men, should choose this place abnve all the other sites in the Wai • rarapa must go to indicate that Pigeon Bush is the ideal site. Men with such experience, and influenced by no particular parly, when choosing a site are naturally only concerned as to its favourable position i and facilities—*water supply, drain- j ape, proximity to railway line, etc. ' These are facts which Bhould be duly j considered, and shareholders should j weigh thoroughly the pros and cons j before casiing their vote, because, as is recognised on a'l sides, the matter of a suitable site is of paramount importance, and on same will hinge the success or failure of the company. Ae to the cost of the site, one surely could not be got cheaper, seeing that a site of 20 acres is offered as a free gitt, in addition to which Mr locker has offered I to take by way of part payment for any extra ground required at least £SOO worth of shares. These are facts which should come into consideration when it is remembered that it will for obvious reasons be wise to conserve as much as possible the capital of the new company. When consideration is given to the i tact that a free site is offered, possessing all the facilities required, i what more, may I ask, can be de- | sired? It may possibly be said that thsre will be a danger in years to come of the Government deciding to deviate the railway line, and that it will traverse from Woodside up the Tauhererikau Valley. Against this, let me say that I am given to under stand that what is agitating the minds of those in authority at the present time is not the deviation of the line so far as Woodside is conce. Ned, but the practicability of tunneling the hill at a point between Cross Creek and the Summit, thus obviating the necessity for that steep and expensive climb to the Summit. The tunnel. I understand, would not be nearly such a big undertaKing as the Otira tunnel. Not only would such a tunnel lessen the grade considerably, but it would ' materially shorten the distance to 1 Wellington.—l am, etc., 3 WOULD BE SHAREHOLDER. September 15th, 11)09.