AUCKLAND RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 72, 25 March 1919, Page 8

AUCKLAND RAILWAY LEAGUE.

EAST COAST CONSTRUCTION. / COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. 1A meeting of the Council of the Auckland Railway League was held at the '"hamher of Commerce yesterday afternoon, Mr- P. E. Cheat presiding. The report of the Commissioner staled that satisfactory progress was being made with the Huarau tunnel, and there ■was a possibility of the saintf being completed ,by next spring. The necessity for expediting the completion of the line between Ranganui and Huarau had been urged, with a view of transferring it to the Railway Department. At the Paparoa station material was ready for the erection of station cottages for the accommodation of the staff when the officials of the other department took over the premises at Maungaturoto. With the completion of the line at Huarau some sixty men would be available to proceed with the cuttings towards the. Wairere tunnel and to complete the road to the Paparoa station. At Wnikiekie satisfactory progress was also reported. Appreciation of the action of the League in sending its president to the East Coast districts in connection with the East coast railway was expressed in several communicAtious. The League approved of p, proposal that the president, should continue his itinerary by travelling to Gisborne. Wairoa South and Xapier, also Stratford and Taumarunui, in order to arouse public interest in favour of accelerated railway construction.

A presentation in recognition of his services as honorary treasurer to the League was made to Mr. Graves AickinThe recipient, in acknowledging the present, stated that the operations of the League were much more important than generally recognised. It was owing to the activities of the League that nn impetus bad been given to many public works in this part of tire Dominion.

In welcoming Mr. J. F. Tlosking as the 'new representative of tho Whakatane Chamber of Commerce and Borough Council the chairman referred to the request of the Whakatane people for the assistance of the League in advancing the construction of a branch line near Te Teko to the township, and explained that the League at present confined itself practically to the construction of main trunk lines.

A tentative resolution was passed thai the view 3of Parliamentary- candidates on a proposal to oppose all expenditure for public works in the South Island until the Xcrth Island receives equal advantages in the matter of railway construction be obtained.