MORRINSVILLE-TE AROHA RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1942, 16 December 1884, Page 2

MORRINSVILLE-TE AROHA RAILWAY.

We are now indulging 1 in the enjoyment of a promise that the above instalment of the Waikato-Thames Railway will be proceeded with immediately, and with a due fulfilment of this promise it is not too much to expect that we shall be able to travel between Waikato and Te Aroha about Easter. It has been said, and very properly too, no doubt, that until the line is completed to Te Aroha, the present branch to Morrinsviile can never be expected to pay. But we must not, under existing circumstances, expect too much from this extension ; 'for with the existing tariff, we doubt very much whether the lino would be advantageous to the department, or that it would lend in any material way to benefit the district, or encourage settlement. Water transit between Auckland and Te Aroha i>> exceedingly cheap, and if the present tariff on the railways is foolishly maintained the new line will exist as in many parts of tho colony railways do exist— a mere token of governmental thoughtfulness. There is only one thing that will make this line pay, and that is a reduction far below the present standard of the tariff charges. The railway will pass through an excellent piece of country between Morrinsville and the Aroha, and tho Waitoa district alone should contribute largely to the revenue of the line. The carrying traffic up and down the Waihoiz river is at present very considerable, and unless the railway can secure this, it will be useless to run it. Of course it will have a monopoly of tho passenger traffic, but that is very little, and at the present time would not pay a coach service unless well subsidised.