THE RIMUTAKA DEVIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10220, 22 April 1911, Page 5

THE RIMUTAKA DEVIATION.

FURTHER ACTION TO BE TAKEN

COMMITTEE SET UP

At the meeting of the Council of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, Mr C. E. Daniel! reported that he had acted as one of the deputation to the Minister for Public "Works in reference to the Pongaroa railway and the deviation of the Rimutaka railway. They would, he raid, have noticed from the Press that the Minister had scouted the northern railway on the ground that there was not sufficient settlement to warrant it. As far as he (Mr Daniell) was concerned, he thought the public were inclined to accept the statement of the Minister. In regard to the deviation of th<3 Rimutaka, the Minister had admitted that this was a necessaVy work, but had pointed, out that it was a national undertaking. There seemed to be a prospect of something being done in regard to the Rimutaka, but nothing in the meantime in respect to the Pongaroa line. The Chairman (Mr Henderson) said it seemed to him that they should confine their efforts in the meantime to the question of the deviation of the Rimutaka railway. He thought the whole of the local bodies and the Chambers between Wellington and Napier should be asked to appoint delegates to a deputation to wait upon Ministers on the subject. The deviation of the Rimutaka would mean a great boon to the Wairv/ap.-i. He moved that tlie secretary address a letter to the various local bodies and Chambers, asking for their support in the matter.

Mr Caselberg 'asked if a Railway League had riot been appoint-ed to deal with this matter.

The Secretary stated that a resolution had been passed'in favour of appointing a league. . Mr Keith thought that an extensive petition to the House, from the various parts of the Dominion , affected, wonlil be the most effective. Mr-Caselberg agreed on this point. Ho. thought a paid canvasser should bo employed to obtain signatures to a petition. ' Mr Daniell stated that the Chamber had already educated the public somewhat in the matter. This education should be continued. At the same time, a monster petition would be a good thing. After further discus: ?cn, it wa> resolved that the matter be referred to a committee consisting of the President. Vice-President, and Messrs Donald, Keith and Summerell for a report.