THE PAHIATUA DEPUTATION

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10702, 24 August 1912, Page 5

THE PAHIATUA DEPUTATION

CONCERNING LATERAL LINES

(By Telegraph —Press Association.)

WELLINGTON. Last Night

A deputation representing the Palmerston North and Dannovirko Borough Councils and Chambers of Commerce, and the Pahiatua Borough Council, County Council and Progressive Association, waited on the Minister for Public Works (Hon W. Frascr) to-day, to urge the necessity of constructing a number of light railway lines to act as feeders to the Wel-lington-Napier main line. Mr J. H. Escott, member for Pahiatua, introduced the deputation. Mr G. Hunter, M.P. (Waipawa) was also present. Mr J. Osburn Lilley (Pahiatua) said light feeder lines should be constructed at suitable points to tap the country lying to the eastward of the main line. Ho suggesed the construction of a number of liner; already mentioned. There were many advantages to be derived from these proposed feeder lines. The lines proposed would facilitate and economise the cost of carrying mails to and from the districts to be served. They would remove the heavy traffic from the roads between the centres and terminals of the proposed lines, and would materially lessen the cost of metalling and maintenance. . This would reduce the expenditure by local bodies in the areas proposed to be served, and would reduce the demands for assistance from the Government. In the South Island there were between twenty and thirty branch lines, as compared with about six in the North Island.

In reply the Minister assured the deputation of his sympathy. He had long held the view that branch linos in this country were not a luxury, but a necessity. He was satisfied, however, that such lines would never pay, if the cost of construction was the same as for the main lines. For instance, the rails could be much' lighter, and that item alone would mean a considerable reduction in cost. In Queensland light lines were constructed for £I2OO a mile. Of course the conditions of constructions there were much easier than in New Zealand. Light lines were not looked upon with favour by many experts, and that had to be combated. He intended to travel throughout New Zealand in order to form some idea of what was needed. He believed a number of light lines could be constructed, which would pay handsomely. Tt was nil a Question of money. New Zealand was not viewed too favourably by tho Stock Exchange just now. The recent large loan was costing NeAV Zealand fully 5 per cent. That sort of thing had to be avoided. Ho would carefully consider the representations Biade.