EFFECT OF DECISION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 15, 18 January 1930, Page 12

EFFECT OF DECISION.

FORCING TRAFFIC TO ROADS. ELECTRIFICATION PROPOSALS REPORT BY EXPERTS. , "One cannot help feeling that as tlie result of the Minister's decision a still greater volume of traffic on the Kaipara suburban line will pass to the roads," declared Dr. E. P. Neale, secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, in discussing the announcement by Hon. W. B. Taverner that the Morningside railway. deviation sclicme was to be abandoned. Dr. Neale explained that the Chamber of Commerce had not discussed the possible abandonment of tlie scheme, and the matter required a great deal of thought. (Jiving his own opinion, how- | ever, lie said it was difficult to sec why it; would be necessary, as suggested, to electrify the line right through to Helensville if the scheme was proceeded with, as experts, who had reported on the electrification of New Zealand Railways some three or four years ago, saw no reason for electrification beyond Swansoii. It was comi monlv believed in

Auckland that', following that' report, the Government would go ahead with the electrification of the line to Swanson and Papakura. Facts and figures quoted showed that electrification would be economically justified. Dr. Neale also thought that to some extent the location of the new railway station was determined in view of the early prospect of the Morningside deviation being completed. Indeed, one reason why suburban passengers on the south line were complacent over the scheme to shift the station from Queen Street to Beach Road was that those of them who worked in Upper Queen Street anticipated that suburban trains would, run through to a station in the vicinity of the Town Hall. The Minister's announcement, added Dr. Neale, would create disappointment to those who anticipated a reduction of travelling time on the northern lines. It would appear that faster running time by 15 minutes was not likely to eventuate in the immediate future.

"The original estimate of the cost of the Morningside. deviation was in the vicinity of £500,000, but the revised estimate of £1,000,000 certainly puts -an entirely different complexion on the scheme," said Dr. Neale. "If the facts as stated by Mr. Taverner are correct, it would seem that there is considerable doubt as to whether proceeding with the

deviation at the present juncture would be economically justified." This, however, will be small comfort to regular suburban passengers who have built their liopis/ arid in many cases sunk their money, in the western suburbs, in expectation of the early completion of the new outlet. Sooner or later the question of improved rail communication to the north will have to be faced, and it is just possible that the future may reveal a route Which involves less tunnelling. I prefer in the meantime to refrain from further comment until I have opportunity to peruse in full the reports in regard to the deviation."