OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 June 1939, Page 8

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

RIMUTAKA TUNNEL (To the Editor.) Sir, I would like you to insert in your valuable paper a reply to "Anon" in reference to what ho calls that wonderful Rimutaka tunnel. I am not a polished writer, but as "Anon” complains that he has not "got a bite” from his recent publication I will endeavour to oblige him. Like himself I am a bit hazy about the cost of the tunnel, but it has been quoted by the heads- of the Departments concerned to cost a million pounds and probably more. In answer to "Anon’s” first question, "Is the Wairarapa going to benefit by this amount?" My reply to this question is “yes, most decidedly,” and why—because we will get a much quicker and more convenient means of transit. I have travelled by rail the Rimutaka ■many times and observed powerful engines straining and puffing up and down that terrific incline and I’ve wondered what the cost must be for the upkeep of that particular piece of line. One can only guess—it must be very costly. It is by no means a straightforward means of transport for the Wairarapa and is a burden to the rest of New Zealand, and as one sees this, he realises that the transport facilities between the Wairarapa and the Capital City are in most urgent need of reconstruction. The “hole in the hill” will not only benefit Wairarapa, but the whole of New Zealand, through cheaper running costs.

“Anon’s” last question is, “Will the poor New Zealand taxpayer have to pay?” Well, "Anon,” as. I have just mentioned, through cheaper running costs, I believe that the construction of the tunnel will be the means of reducing taxation and it will certainly be a great asset to the 'Wairarapa and a benefit to the whole of New Zealand, Thanking you, I am. etc, PROGRESS. Masterton, June 16.

THE YEARS OF AGITATION (To the Editor.) Sir, —I see our old friend “Anon” again invites your readers to pluck up courage and help him solve the “Great Rimutaka Mystery,” so long unsolved (even by Government experts) these many long and weary years since first some brainy person suggested that the best solution was a one-in-fifteen grade railway-escalator—steam driven —be ■ tween the then “fishing village” (Wellington land the scattered hamlets on the hinterland side of “Nature’s Toll Gate” still referred to in all up-to-date guide books, pamphlets, and other aids to tourists in search of adventure — well knowing that the “Anon” family, at least, would always remain, satisfied with it. As a Greytownian who was a boy when the first agitation commenced either to have the mountain moved into Lake Wairarapa, or a lower-grade tunnel built, and is now a crabbed and aged, and in every way disgruntled personage, I too wonder how on earth any town in the Wairarapa (so handicapped) can ever hope to reap “Anon’s” benefit from a one-and-a-half million expenditure of North Cape to the Bluff taxpayer money and now that so many people prefer travelling by service car. All those of us who used to beat the old Woodside to Greytown trunk-line train on Shank’s pony would not hesitate to walk the distance from here (Greytown of course) to Wellington, and easily arrive on Lambton platform a good hour ahead of the one-in-fifteen grade escalator your “doubtful of benefits” contributor is going to travel by when the opening of the Centennial Exhibition “palaver” takes places regarding New Zealand’s wonderful and progressive spirit since the first emigrant ship reached Port Nicholson and landed its passengers on a strip of Petone foreshore (later known as Britannia) till the Hu.jt River floods drove them out Thorndon Beach way, where, years later, a few adventurous souls among their number said, “Let’s build a nation,” and another went one better and said, “Let's also build a notion,” and there came about friend “Anon’s” still good enough • for backblockers’ railway, whose suggested more level grade tunnel scheme could easily be financed (without missing it) by the well-to-do people of Canterbury Province, who so narrowly escaped being sent to Masterton (instead of Christchurch) in the early fifties (under the Church of England immigration settlement scheme, as intended) and thus was able not only to run a level grade railway inland from their port at Lyttelton (and a level graded tunnel through a hill, too) and can thus not only help build a nation, but help along our crazy notion railway service, at one and the same time!

Hoping “Anon's” questionnaire is thus satisfactorily answered (3 in 1 or 1 in 3 or even 1 in 15), I am etc, “PROCRASTINATION.” Greytown, June 16.