Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 70, 24 March 1898, Page 4

Among the proposals to get rid of the Rimutaka railway incline is a line via Wainuiomata Valley. A short tunnel would lead into this valley, whence an easy grade leads to a low saddle not half the height of the summit, the tunnel opening out into the Wairarapa upon Matthews’ run. Besides opening up fine country for settlement, this route, it is contended, would be much shorter than the present one. The engineering difficulties would be far lighter. The height up which goods would have to be dragged would be far less, and working expenses proportionately lightened. Another suggestion is that a very short tunnel through the range at the back of Wainui would lead into another branch of the Wainui Valley by a route which would possibly cost still less.