NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 248, 18 October 1909, Page 5

NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

BATTLE OF THE ROUTES. COMMISSION OF INQUIRY WAITED. (By Telegraph-— Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. \ deputation of twenty-five, introduced by Mr. F. Mander, M.P., including Messrs. Purdie, Carruth, Killoa, Clarke, Coates, Findlayson, McKenzie, and all the Auckland members, waited on Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. R. McKenzie to-day, asking for ethe setting j lup of a Royal" Commission to inquire into the matter of the proposed western deviation of the North Auckland line. Mr. Purdie said the people of the North desired a public inquiry. The eastern route had been decided upon by j two previous Ministers of Public Work 3 i and supported by three Chief Engineers j —Messrs. Hales, Vickcrman and Holmes. | On the eastern route there -,vere Mangawai and Waipu, the latter a township of 900 residents with a bar harbour unworkable three months in the year. On the west there was only the Bicker- j staiTe Estate with a population of 100, surrounded by navigable rivers. The j western route would be longer and would cost £93,000 more. The Hon. E. Mitehelson, a former Minister of Public Works, supported the eastern route. If it could be shown ' that the western route was shorter and cheaper, the people in the whole of the j North would loyally accept the decision. If the railway went west, the Hikurangi Valley would be neglected, and would have no outlet, and all the people on the eastern side, who had for 27 years lived in expectation of the j railway going their way, would be disappointed. i Mr Killen said if the railway went west Whangarei would be excluded from its benefits. The people thought that interests other than the interests of the Dominion as a whole had been considered. Mr Mclvenzie: "Are you reflecting on mc?" Mr Killen: "Kb." Mr McKcnzie: "You are making insinuations." Mr Killen: "I am making no insinuations at all; but people think other influences have been at work." Mr McKenzie: "Then keep your innueiidos to yourself." Mr Killen: "J. think you have been misled. You stated in Parliament that Kniwaka is eight miles from the sea on the ea?t and 30 miles froir. the sea on the west. Thai is not true. Kaiwaka is right on a branch of the harbour on the west." Mr Stewart, in urging full inquiry, reminded the Minister of the Waitakerei tunnel blunder, trains rising and failing 117 feet there to no purpose. That had been done in opposition to the engineer'report. Sir Joseph Ward made the important statement that the route had not been decided upon beyond McCarroll's Gap. Another deputation of eastern settlers wa= comimr down to advocate the eastern route this week, and until he had heard thorn lie could not make any definite annnuncomfnt regarding a Royal Commission. Evidently there was a serious conflict of opinion. He did not want to sec the railway held up for several years while the people quarrelled amongst rhpmselves. Cabinet had decided on the route to Gap. but the further route northwards was open to question. Up thought it would be a good idea if % trip could be organised of Parliamentarians at the end of the session to view :hp country. The Hon. R. McKenzie said it would nakfi little difference to anyone whether ,he route went east or west of Tangiahua.