TAUPO RAILWAY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 255, 26 September 1929, Page 3

TAUPO RAILWAY

evidence before committee. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 25. At the inquiry concerning the Taupo railway line Mr F. G. Dalzicll continued his evidence. He enlarged on the Taupo Totara Timber Company’s policy of making the timber pay for transport so as to help settlement in the pumice country. lie urged the committee not to recommence the construction of the line till it knew the route and the amount it would probably cost. He suggested a consultation among those interested to arrive at the best solution. Ho favoured a committee of experts in preference to a Royal Commission. In answer to Mr Semple, witness said that lie did not think the line should be put in until the Government found it ■would pay. There should be a thorough investigation by experts; they should determine. Mr Semple: Surely you have an opinion to offer P Witness: I don’t like to give opinions; I like to rely on facts. Mr Semple: Surely it is quite easy to answer whether you are in favour of it or not. Witness: I have done so several times. Mr Semple: Are you opposed to the railway or not; that’s a plain question P Witness: That’s not a plain question. You can’t answer that yes or no. That is a foolish question and I cannot give a foolish answer. The chairman (Mr T. W. McDonald): I understood that lie prefers Mr Holmses’s route to any other, but lie did not,consider the railway was necessary yet. When it would come, lie was not prepared to eay. Witness: That is the position. Tho chairman later protested against members of the committee putting leading questions. He said that witness was entitled to answer as he liked. Mr Samuel objected to the chairman’s “very indiscreet remarks,” and to his suggestion that bias ,liad been shown.

Mr Semple said lie had been the first to suggest bias. He had been unable to get an answer from witness as to whether lie was in favour of the railway or not. “Witness beat me, lie is a lawyer, and has learnt to wriggle.” Several members arose amvl clamour. ~ Mr Jenkins said: We require the protection of the chair. When I rose to a point of order several others rose. The chairman: I did not ses you rise; you had a perfect .right. Witness, replying to Mr Samuel, said that he did not, regard the, proposed railway as a future menace to liifi company if the facts were investigated. The inquiry was adjourned till tomorrow.