MASTERTON-WAIPUKURAU RAILWAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 23 May 1913, Page 5

MASTERTON-WAIPUKURAU RAILWAY.

PONCAROA DEPUTATION TO THE

minister.

A SYMPATHETIC REPLY.

(By Ow Special Reporter.) PONGARIOA, Last Night. Mr G. R. Sykes, M.P., introduced to the Minister of Public Works a deputation from the Masterton-Wai-juikurau Railway League. Mr McDonald, the cnairman of the League, said that some of the finest land in New Zealand was to be found in the Pongaroa district, but it was difficult to get produce out. The road's wanted metal, and thoro was a great difficulty in getting this. The ■district was kept back for the want of communication. Tie present charges for transit were prohibitive. A report had been made on some part* of the proposed line. At present there was no inducement for settlers to t3ike up land. The dairy ing industry was impossible owiag t the cost of transit. The fat stock market was seriously affected owing to the inability to get lambs away, «o great was the distance. JVCr Herbert, another speaker, said .stock depreciated in quality over a long journey, as much as from first quality to second quality. Mr R. J. Barton, of Mataikona, endorsed the remarks of the previous jjpeakers. He eaid the district traversed by the proposed railway wonl dtap some of the finest country in New Zealand, He hoped a capabl* man would be sent to report and make estimates. Mr C. Livertoa, of Tinui, said they had a fine district but for the want of a railway. Much of the country was suitable for dairying, but at piesent it was useless for this purpose. Mr Mclntyre, representing, Waipukurau, expressed regret that the Minister could nofc visit Waipukura/u. He said the settlers were convinced of the dairying value of the land along the proposed railway line. At present dairying was out of the ques - tion. He quoted several instances of successful private dairy factories. Ho agreed with the, other speakers that they wanted a line to suit the greatest number; but he was convinced, that the Masterton-Waipukurau route would Mffdrd the best means of access to ports. Mr Houlbrooko spoke of the stock aspect of ,tho question, and the loss suffered in travelling stock long distances to freezing works. He hope the Minister would not be influenced ny the scramble for the terminus. He trusted the Govemmeht would leg T „, islate ar.d' give power to local bodies to construct the tine if the .fivemment would not do it themselves. Mr Mabin, of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, said he was pleased to hear of * scheme for a raiVay in vwincJa Wellington would be greatly interested. He was sure the setttari deserved great credit for opening up the country under such great difficulties. He felt that the time had some when the settlers, should have some means of getting their produce to

:n»rlcet. Mr 0. E. Daniell said the matter had keen discussed ten years ago. Ah engineer was sent through the district, and drew plans of the district to be traversed. He suggested that the Minister realised that this railway would be capable of producing more than many railways in the Dominion. He was sure the Minister ■ would agree that the project was ■wwthy of his best consideration. Ho was satisfied that the movement had . a. good friend in Mr Eraser. The Hon. W. Fraser said that, in regard to such an important subject, he had an earnest desire to help the people in opening up the wilderness. He ,knew the necessity for railway ■communication, especially regarding fat stock. .He would consider the interests of the settlers in preference to those of townships. The towns lived by the country, and perity depended on 'the country. He had not quite (made up his mind as to the best plan to follow. He was quite sure of the necessity for something to be done. After the session, he intended to go through the whole district, probably with the Engineer-in-Chief, and go thoroughly' into the whole matter. He hoped that he wonld have a chance to solve the problem.—(Applause.)