EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 156, 1 July 1916, Page 9

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

DELAY IN CONSTRUCTION. A TAUBANGA DEPUTATION. (By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter l WELLINGTON, Friday. A deputation, headed by Mr. C. E. McMillan, Mayor of Tauranjra. and Mr. D. Donaldson, Mayor of Waihi, waited on the Minister for Public Works this evening in rpferenre to the delay in the completion of that section of the East Coast railway from Waihi to Tauranga. The Hon. \V. H. Herries introduced the deputation, and XI r. H. Poland, member for Ohinemuri, was also present.

Mr. McMillan said there was considerable discontent at Tauranga at the slow progress made. Hp recognised the effect that the war must have upon public works expenditure, but hoped the Minister would do his best to prosecute the work.

The Hon. W. Fraspr said the railway had been delayed because of the impossibility of obtaining stoel from England for the bridge across Tauranga Harbour, and the tremendously increased price asked for it in America. He did not feel justified in increasing the cost of tho bridge to such an extent as paying the increased prices asked for. The Government had no intention of stopping the work, and us soon as the war ended, if not before, if he could obtain the steel at reasonable prices, he would proceed with the work.