Will Build Line to Puslinch Provided they Get a Square Deal
Promoters Were Here Looking Over the Puslinch Lake Deal - Refused to State Who was Behind the Scheme
Thursday February 6, 1912
Several American promoters, interested in electric railways, were in the city yesterday and drove over the several preliminary lines which have already been surveyed to Puslinch Lake.
When seen by The Mercury this morning at the G.T.R. station prior to leaving for Toronto, although they refused to give their names, and state who were interested in the taking over of the franchise which is owned by the city, it is understood that Mackenzie and Mann are interested in the matter, and that it may have been one of their agents who was in charge of the party that drove over the line yesterday.
"It would not pay us to build the line unless it was extended to Hespeler to connect with the G. H. & _. and it is likely that in the event we take the franchise over that the line is built to Hespeler, to make the connection.
"Puslinch Lake is one of the finest spots in Western Canada for a summer resort, and if we decide to push the proposition we will build one of the finest hotels in any summer resort in Canada. I understand that Mr. Josh Wayper who owned several cottages down on the edge of the lake proposed to remove the buildings to Hespeler. He is making a big mistake. Property in the vicinity of the lake will be worth money in a short time and those who hold will make good.
"We don't care what they do - so far as the summer resort is concerned," he continued, "but we want to give the natives a chance to make good. All we want is the right to the franchise over the road, as we are impressed with the situation and think it would prove a money maker."
"I believe you mean business, all right," stated the Mercury reporter. .......{illegible}
"Nothing doing," answered the civil engineer, who was in charge of the party. "I have nothing for the press."
Continuing, he stated that the company which he represented, had plenty of money to push the project through, provided the Guelph Radial Railway, who held the franchise, were willing to part with it, and were satisfied to see the proposition go through.
"Give us a chance and we will be satisfied," stated the engineer as he climbed on to the car, followed by several other Toronto and Buffalo capitalists, who are interested in the deal.
"You give us a decent deal and we will build the road," he called out as the train pulled out of the yards.
See also PUSLINCH HOTEL, Mr. Josh Wayper Preparing for Erection of Big Resort - 12 April 1907