THE NORTH AUCKLAND MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 160, 7 July 1909, Page 3

THE NORTH AUCKLAND MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

";.•;.:"iJCo the Editor.) Sir,—ln. reply to Mi> Jackman's letter! which appeared',in ; .issue' of inst., on the above subject, 1 would remind that gentleman Wiat' Parliament authorised the survey "_ani construction of this line- to • ■Maungatur6ta"oh~l2t"h December; 1902, and in ISO 7. t 33ie, line was diily surveyed to Maungaturoto. and approved of by the Engineer-in-Chief; but. at this stage Mr. Jafjkman, and his friends requested that a-further survey of the • westerly• rouie, should be .made; This was put into effect, and, a full and exhaustive; report- on both routes was supplied to the Government by Mr. .Holmes, thei Engineer-indDhief, published in; Septe"mber,;lßQß. The report ..recommended iii'the "strongest.- terms- the .adoption; p| the eastern - route,--which, was accepted by the Government; the- -site- for the Kaiwaka station selected, and the permanent line fixed to a. peg. within a mile of the Maungaturot'o-block. I have omitted to say that-previous -to the engineer's"repbrt" a meeting of- delegates, representing- both paTties, agreed to abide by the decision 61 "the engineers. I regret to say tliat as" soon" as th"c report was "declared the advocates ; of the western rinite ignored their previous agreement, and drew up a," petition, which wai' presented" to Parliament in September - last, 'asking for " a: more thorough survey to be made. This has been 'done) and we have ; the Minister s decision in favour of the western route; I contend, that, the , line haying been authorised by Parliament tp Manngaturoto.'and the route of the line; definitely fixed to a certain point by-Mr. HallJpnes, the present ilinister has.no pqwei to divert the ( Bickerstaffe. Mr. Jackman's statement' with the line passing' through 'the "western (side of Maungaturoto,/ within la mile ana a-half : of "the; post' office; is erroneous and misleading. I am . aware of : the existence;, of stone on the Hukatere beach, arid I- note Sir. Jackman's opinion' as to , the; quality .of .it .compared- with that'. .ot .'tlie .Pukekarorb" "stone; but'-1 prefer the. opinion of; experts 'on this point. My slight knowledge of stone ■convinces ine that.'Mr. Jackman's esti-. mate of the cost, of delivering sto.ne to" Young's Point at 5/ .-per cubic yard is low,'and the difficulties in carrying" put such a scheme aie-., insTirmountaible.--, I have notat any time agreed to abide T>y the Minister's decision with- regard to the route, and I am quite convinced that iinduis,. influence end; mieleaduig Btatements "by the Rodney electors' caused •him:to decide'te he did. And.'belieTinj this, a IRoyal Commission is imperative. Mrt 'Jabtman wke, "Doo Mr. Cortes •eriouelyj think that tiktt 4i?orenmuEnt'li

decision for' the •western route was dp. pbeed.-to tHe opinions "of :their: teigiheeratf . My reply to this is, "Yes, certainly."'-* I am,.etc.; ' .",-' - ■".■-.. '■. —- ; .. , '": •» .:.r :.;.-r, ■"^"■.THOMAS;-6oATESn:}