EAST COAST LINE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10708, 31 August 1912, Page 4

EAST COAST LINE.

We are glad to notice that our Hawke's Bay friends are awakening to the importance of tho projected railway to open up the East Coast between Masterton and Waipukurau. Referring to t)m matter, the Hawke's Bay Tribune says:—"lf a loop line of railway were constructed from Masterton to Weber it would lie half way between tb o coast and the main line and should not be farther from the main line than any of the "light feeders" would be from each other. Further it would serve along one continuous route, the whole district which it is new proposed to tap at intervals by light lines. For instance, a settler on.the er-arst would have to travel to either Weber, Pongaroa, Alfredton, or . other "feeder" terminii before he could got in touch with railway comj munication. What Tor? Simply tint I the parochial interests cf Pahiatua. Dannevirke, and Eketahuna may be pandered to—never mind the cost to the country or the settlers. The whole proposal is- the most absurd that" has i even been advanced. A loop line from Masterton to Dannevirke, from Masterton to Waipukurau and further on through Elsthorpe to Hastings is a proposition worthy of co:v •sideration when funds are available. But it is ridiculous to suppose any Parliament would sanction expenditure to provide every village with a special trade railway. The loop line ;would tap the centre of a fine tract of country, offering magnificent possibilities of development; also giving the settlers in the coast district the (quickest and most sensible method of reaching outside markets.