WAIRARAPA AND WELLINGTON TRAMWAY.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 41, 14 October 1867, Page 3

WAIRARAPA AND WELLINGTON TRAMWAY.

Sosoonasan approximate estimate of the cost of laying down a tramway from Masterton to Wellington can be obtained, a movement will be made with the object of securing the co-operation of the Governmont and the public in this important undertaking. A gentleman in this district, well-known for his enterprize and public spirit, wrote to the Editor of the “ Hokitika Leader” for information on the subject, and also to the Engineer of the Hokitika end Greymouth Tramway which has been yielding a profit at the rate of £43 for the £IOO outlaid, but as in neither case has a reply been received, we should be glad if any party in this Province could furnish us the cost of a tramway, with an iron baud upon it to be laid on the common road from Wellington to Masterton, but coming through Captain Smith’s line, or the valley in which the Tauherenikau has its rise, by which the big hill of the Rimutaka would be avoided, estimating the cost of timber at tea shillings per hundred feet and labour at seven shillings per day. We have heard that the Government purpose sending an Engineer through the Tauherenikau valley to report upon the expens n and practicability of a road through it, and we have no doubt if a feasible scheme was prepared the Provincial Governmet would not hesitate to aid liberally in an undertaking essentially necessary for the progress of this district, for being without water communication w r e must have such a road if we are to place the Wairarapa in its proper position by the side of other districts in the Province of Wellington. Surely there must be some gentlemen in this Province capable of furnishing the information sought and we would suggest that if an Engineer or contractor he might find profit in rendering the public this assistance.