NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 134, 7 June 1911, Page 8

NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

COMMISSION'S FINDING. WESTERN ROUTE FAVOURED. SMGHT MODIFICATION SUGGESTED. The following is a precis of the report of the Commissioners: — The Commissioners state that they travelled over 700 miles of country to thoroughly inspect not only the actual railway routes, but all the area that will be affected by the construction of the rail-way, by -whichever route it is taken; they also state that they held eiighteen different meetings, at which 68 witnesses were heard, and that the evidence obtained was of great assistance to them in coming to a decision. After exhaustively examining the country, they state that from their own observations, as well as from evidence submdtted to them, they are firmly of the opinion that the excellence of the land, enhanced by a most favourable climate, fully justifies the immediate construction of the trunk railway through the peninsula, with the object of opening out and developing the lands of the north, and that it is considered that such a railway would be a paying proposition. In support of this view they instance the WanganuiNew Plymouth and Waikato lines, showing that the area of land served in eaich case is not greater than fhe North Auckland railway will serve; and that the produce of the latter district, when opened up by railway, will probably be similar to tha-t of the former districts, and equal tin extent, as, in their opinion, the North Auckland land compares favourably with either the Taranaki or Waikato lands, while the climate is superior, arid under cultivation the land will give equally good, or better, results.

They report that the approximate area of land from which traffic may be looked for to support the railway will be considerably over 1,000,000 acres, and they have no hesitation in saying that in a few years after the construction of the line the revenue will more than pay interest on the cost, estimated at, say £700,000.

The Commissioners think competition by river or sea will not materially affect the railway. In answer to the questions addressed to them in the commission, they report: (1) That the North Auckland railway should be expeditiously constructed to a junction with the section of the Kawa-kawa-Hokianga railway already in course of construction between Kawakawa and kaikohe. The Commissioners, have investigated three routes that the said railway between McCarroll's Gap and Mangakahia Valley could take, namely, routes to the east and west of Waikiekie and the Tangihua range, and a suggested middle route lying between the other two, but also to the west of the Tangihua range. They are of opinion that the western route is the better for the principal reason that it traverses throughout its entire length, and thereby opens up a large area of rich pastoral land of uniform quality, capable of carrying a large population when Temoved from its present isolation; but they call attention to the middle route and recommend it for favourable consideration, if on further examination it is found to be practicable, for the Teason that it would serve the same country on the west of the Tangihua range as would the western route, and would have the further advantage of being in a good position for an easy and short branch railway connection with the WhangareiKawakawa system, passing through Maimgakaramea, and practically serving all the rich lands on the, east of the Tangihua range beyond the reach of the western route ; (2) that after the North Auckland railway has been completed a branch line should be constructed to connect it with the Whan-garei-Kawakawa line at the south end, this branch line to take precedence over other private lines north of Auckland. The Commissioners are of opinion that the time is premature for the making of any recommendation as to a connection with the Dargaville-Kaihu. railway.

The Com.mlss.ioners also recommend that all lartje blocks of land, whether owned by Europeans or natives, lying on the route of the North Auckland railway or adjacent thereto, and likely to be affected in value ; by the construction of the line, be acquired by the Crown without delay for closer settlement.