THE NAPIER-GISBORNE RAILWAY.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14475, 2 October 1912, Page 6

THE NAPIER-GISBORNE RAILWAY.

COMMENCED IN THE WRONG L PLACE. '

MORE BUSINESS-LIKE METHODS. (SPECIAI. TO "THE PRESS.'") WELLINGTON, October 1. The late Liberal Administration, after neglecting tho Napier-Gi.sbome railway for many years, just before the last election showed a feverish anxioty to make a commencement with the -, v works, and at tho Napier end thoy started earth works some distance V ahead of the present railway beforo . they had even decided about the sit.i j or the plans of a necessary bridge thut would have to be mado before an engine or trucks could run from the pre- *"" i sent terminus on to tho new formation. Needless to say, the new Government, * . in the interest of the district and of tho Dominion as a whole, put a stop to such a wasteful form of construction, and, having done this, an attempt ""- is being made to make political capital *_ out of it. The suggested agitation in icgard to the matter is, however, a v , j very ill-advised move, and one that is ' likely to do more harm than good. The Massey Government is thoroughly agreed that the Napier-Gisborne railway must bo made, and that it will be a paying line if it is economically constructed, but they are fully dctei mined - _ that the money voted shall not iw squandered, but shall bo tised to the best advantage. There is no sense in ; going on with earthworks that. must remain unproductive for eighteen . months or two years, and there is no y dcubt that the old Administration ' J 1 mado a. blunder in starting the -works in the manner they did. Such unprao- ,v, tical and neodlessly expensive methods ' would naturally not be in the interests _, of the district, and might eventually ' -; hamper the construction of'tho lino. VThe new Government will go about the "i" work in a much more business-like ~ ." fashion, with the result that greater progress will be mado than could be, _ X innde under the present system of „•;, operations. ' .* The first matter of import.nice to bo ?•> settled is in regard to the bridge at I the Napier end of the line. The plans J?\ for this have not yet been drawn. _,;;,' though earthworks havo been started .'■ some distance ahead. The bridge Mill ,!;_' probably have to -be a combined rail- '"* vS way. and traffic one, and imjiortant ••£ questions regarding site and approach-- *.*.,-• have yet to be settled. The Nnpioi *|.c people need have no fear tiiat the con- 0 ) ' z struction of the railway will be crier- '. :" getically prosecuted, but they would be "• tin wise to ha.se any agitation upon, a ■ "if departmental action that makes for ' ' tho most economical expenditure ol the .*";_. funds available.