DARGAVILLE'S RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 200, 24 August 1926, Page 6

DARGAVILLE'S RAILWAY.

QUESTION OF ROUTES.

STATE PURCHASES PROPERTY.

£30,000 OX THIS YEAR'S ESTIMATES.

(3y Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

DARGAVILLE, this day

Although the route of the railway line" from Pukehuia to Dargaville has not yet been definitely decided upon, there are evidences that the line as originally surveyed will not be constructed, and a much shorter route will be used.

When the Rt. Hon. J. G. Ceates (Prime Minister and member for Kaipara) was in Dargaville last June, he was met by a large and representative deputation, and a request that the gap between the Dargaville-Donnelly's Crossing railway and the Main Trunk system should be connected, was made to him.

It was stated by Mr. V. Trounson, chairman of the County Council; that a most important factor was that the line would open up the Waipoua Forest, which contained a large volume of marketable timber,, and which was also owned by the Government. The line would allow of all this timber being dispatched to all parts of the North Island by .rail. Several settlers also spoke of the value the line would be to them, especially where the transportation of manures was concerned.

Mr. Coates pointed out that two commissions bad inquired very carefully into the question of linking the Dargaville line with the Main Trunk system. Both reports had been favourable. The pnn cipal question was as to where the connection should be made. It was essential that the capital cost should be cut down on the original estimate. They had been able to save £90,000. A further survey was being made to cut the cost down much further, and until the Railway Department knew what. the line would cost and what it would return, he would not authorise a start being made. It now transpires that this year's estimates provide for a sum of £30,000 being spent on the Pukehuia-Dargaville section, the Waitira Junction-Pukehuia railway being an accomplished fact. The people of Dargaville take this as an indication that the line is to be carried on. But they do not know for certain as yet by which route.

Quite recently, howeveT, the Government has purchased two fairly large properties through which one of the original surveys went. One of the properties belonged to Mr. B. Coleman and the other to Mr. T. Hawkins. Mr. Coleman sold 2800 acres to the Lands Department for £7 10/ per acre, and Mr. Hawking was prevailed upon to dispose of 1600 acres of his property at £12 per acre. The total cost of the 4400 acres was £40,200. But Mr. Coleman was left what is known as the homestead block consisting of 822 acres on account of the value of buildings being represented at between £3000 and £4000. It was thought that this amount was too big to "saddle a new settler with," as an official was heard to remark.

Now comes the news that the Government has discovered a new route for the railway, and this is practically right through the centre of Mr. Coleman's homestead block. It is understood that this will shorten the distance from Pukehuia to Dargaville by about three miles, that is to say, 13 miles as against 16 orisinally.

Both properties are splendidly situated and admirably suited for' cutting up into small farms.