THAMES-TE AROHA RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2623, 4 May 1889, Page 3

THAMES-TE AROHA RAILWAY.

As montioncd in a telegram from our Ohinemuri correspondent last issue, the Hon. Mr Mitchelson, Minister of Public Works, and Mr McKerrow, Chief Railway Commissioner, paid a visit to Paeroa on Wednesday. These penttemen were accompanied by Col. Frazer, M.H.R., Messrs McKenzie, M.H.R., Bagnall (Chairman Thames County), and a large following of local magnates. After lunching at Carwell's the party adjourned to the Paeroa Hotel, where they were met by a deputation consisting of Mr Nioholls, County Chairman, Messrs Henry Alley, John H. Moote, Edwin Edwards, C. F. Mitchell, and a large number of settlers who desired to know the intention of the Government re tho Thnmes-Waikato railway. The gentlemen meutioned were chosen spokesmen and put forcibly before the Minister the various points in favour of the completion of the line. Ohinemuri, it was shown is a sort of focus or junction fr.r all the chief industries in the district. First, the mining industry with its largo export of ore, which could not be locally worked, import of machinery and sundries for treating ores that can be payably worked on the mines. Then comes in rotation the timber trade of which there is a large oxport to all parts, the flax inclustiy which is growing to gigantic proportions on this river, tho gum traffic, and last, but by no nne«uis le.'ist, the opening of tho \V aikato coal and produce market for the benefit of the Thames Valley. At this present time it is found payablo to carry oats from le Aroha to Thames, oven by punt loads, and in many cases produce is sent to Auckland and there sold to I flames and Ohinemuri storekeepers. Then, of course, the mail subsidy was touched on which is at present a large item locally, while the passenger traffic is increasing every day, Mr Bradloy is running two coaches daily caeh way between Paeroa and Thames, besides the numbers of horsemen and vehicles continually to and fro. _ Mr Mitchelson gave the various speakers an attentive hearing, and in reuly, stated that the Government had in hand a sufficient sum, either to complete the line to Paeroa, or to continue to complete the formation through to To Aroha. From the tenor of the Hon. Minister's speech, it seemed that he favoured tho latter couise, but he, at all events, promised that one or the other should be done. He expressed himself as being more than satisfied with what he had seen and heard. After the usual votes of thanks the chief members of the party left for Tc Aroha.