THE MOTU RAILWAY QUESTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3434, 11 September 1913, Page 4

THE MOTU RAILWAY QUESTION.

VISIT OF DEPARTMENT TO WEL-

LINGTON

INTERVIEW WITH MR. DONOVAN ON HIS RETURN.

Among the passengers from the, South yesterday was Mr‘‘Donovan, of Motu, who, it will he remembered, went to Wellington recently as the Head of the deputation from the Motu Settlers’ Association to urge upon the Minister for Public Works the desirableness of extending the railway into the township. To a “Times” representative Mr Donovan said tho deputation was very cordially welcomed by the Minister, and he was only sorry that he could not say that it had received an entirely favorable answer to their request. ■> • , He pointed out to Mr Fraser, he said, that Motu was the centre where several important roads converged and that these roads gave direct access to 100,000 acres of occupied land and land about to be occupied. Motu, he further explained, should be one of the most important places on the Main Trunk line, and' indeed the name of the township had from the start been associated with the line. Not only was it the centre of an extensive milling area, hut it served a good deal cf first-class land eminently suitable for dairying, fruitgrowing, etc., and the remainder was good pastoral country. Why the deputation was somewhat concerned on the question of route was that in February last a station site was located on the Pakilii route which seemed to imply that the railway would lie going that way. The people of the district had, however, learned from the member that Mr hraser was not averse to Motu being connected with the railway system. As a matter of fact, subsequently a trial survey of, the three miles of flat country betwoens the railhead and * the township had since been made. It was only right, then, that they should see the Minister on the subject. Mr Donovan went on to explain that as the question of route beyond Motu was hung up as it were it was felt in the Motu district that the Department as well as the settlers would have everything to gain if the line were extended into the township. It might lie years and years before the problem was ‘ solved, and it was -just as likely that a suitable route could' he found from the township as from the site of the present railhead. On account of such a contingency, was it not better that in the meantime the terminus should he at the township, where there already existed facilities for dealing with stock and accommodation for the travelling public. The further road from Opotiki was also being opened up, and the extension for the line would bring the rail-head three or four miles nearer Opotiki. As regards the reply which the Minister made it would, he said. _ be ful y considered by his association. Mr Fraser- had, as had already been _published, made it'clear that no decision had been arrived at- as to which route would be taken. What w{is satisfactory was that the Minister had assured the deputation _ that personally he hoped a route whicli would touch the township would ultimately be adopted. It was clear from Mr Fraser’s remarks that further survey work would be undertaken without delay. He trusted that on the occasion of any further deputation the Minister would be in a position to give a reply which would be in- accord- with the wishes of the people of the district.