RAIL DUPLICATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 9

RAIL DUPLICATION.

AUCKLAND TO HAMILTON.

"AS SOON AS POSSIBLE."

PRIME MINISTER'S ASSURANCE.

PUKEKOHE, this day.

"One question asked me to-day was whether the Government has any intention of duplicating the railway line from Auckland to Hamilton," said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coatee, at his meeting at Pukekohe last evening. Mr. Coates said the Government had already made arrangements to.duplicate the line between the two centres named, because at present great difficulty was experienced in handling trains' and the trade offering. The * Railway Department anticipated increased trade, and to cope with it something would have to be done. He considered the "work- was urgent and would have to be undertaken as soon as possible. * Mr. Coates said inquiry was how being made concerning the road traffic on the highway from Pokeno to Paeroa, and also as to the traffic offering for the railway now that the Tauranga. line was open. When the inquiries were completed it would be possible to come to a decision as to when the railway between Paeroa and Pokeno would be constructed. That did not mean that the railway would be started at once, but that the time for its construction could be announced.