EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 148, 24 June 1922, Page 7

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

PROGRESS AT NAPIER FAD. (By Tele?rapn.—Press Association. ) XAPIER, Friday. The Minister of Public Works, Hon. .(. O. (Joates, stated to-night that, now sleepers are to hand, progress will be made on the Eekdale section of the East Coast railway from Kapier northwards. The laying of the track would be proceeded with almost immediately and a locomotive will be on the Westshore section in three weeks. Mr. Coatea said he hoped to have the plate-laying to Eskdale completed in four months and tbe line handed over to the Railway Department in about six months. With reference to the Xapier-Oisborne section of the railway, the Minister stated that since 1010 the following amounts had been expended:—Xapier northwards, £183,200; Wairoa northwards, £13,675; Gisborne northwards, £237,397; total to date, £436,362. On the Waikokowu branch railway £160,875, exclusive of permanent way, had been spent since 1!>19.

WAIHI LINTC HSSKXTIAL. The chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, who is visiting the Bay of Plenty, save:—■ "Before coming to Tauranga I was a strong advocate for the early linking up of the East Coast Main Trunk line at ! Waihi. After seeing the country I am more convinced than ever that every effort sliould be concentrated in urging the Government to push on the construction of the line to Waihi. Once the district secures connection with tho railway system this will be a great factor in developing the farming lands." He favoured the employment of insulated steamers for the transport of produce to Auckland.