THE CENTRAL ROUTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2467, 3 May 1888, Page 2

THE CENTRAL ROUTE.

The Wairarapa Standard publishes along account, supplied by Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R., of his recent trip over the North Island Main Trunk Railway route. The following is the concluding portion:—"Large amounts have been thrown away in snagging the Whanganui River, in making roads, regardless of cost, and bridges of such perishable material that they will certainly colhpse before any dray can possibly cross them. One of these bridges towers 70 feet, high, where one-third of this height, would have been ample. When I further mention that £4000 is the cost of this monument to the genius of our public service, I think your readers will agree with me that here, at least, grim retrenchment with its iron heel should take effect at once. It is simply disgraceful that money should be deliberately squandered in this manner while education boards and local bodies are begginuf for funds wherewith to perform their functions, and taxpayers throughout the colony find themselves hard pushed to make both ends meet. It must now, I think, be obvious to our readers that, in authorising this line in ISSB, we committed a miserable blunder which, if persisted in, will saddle the colony for years with interest on two and a quarter millions—the latest estimate of its cost. Much as we must all regret it. the inland portion of the island has been hopelessly spoilt by pumice and volcanic dust, besides lying at an elevation of from 2000 to 2000' feet above sea level. Let us meantime stock the streams and rivers there with trout and salmon, and thus attract tourist and travellers from Australia an 3 elsewhere to our inland highlands. Population is growing, and will in time give necessary through traffic to justify this line. West of YY'oodville, and elsewhere in that district, we have many thousands of acres iu the hands of the Government, tl.o greater portion of it for many years, and of a quality for settlement which, no one has ever questioned. Why is this valuable land lying unopeu and tenantless, while we have been prematurely spending our thousands on native land, so much inferior in quality ? The answer caiiuot be very creditable to us. As to the line via Stratford, I 'laimot for a moment believe that tlje Government can seriously think of adopting it."