SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17296, 7 November 1921, Page 6

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

♦ MARLBOROUGH AND THE EAST COAST ROUTE. (SPECIAL TO "THE r-BESS.") BLENHEIM, November 5. It was regretfully admitted at the annual meeting of tho South Island Main Trunk Bailway League that the report of the Canterbury Progress League's delegation had had a discouraging effect on the prospects of this line, It was realised that the report was in tho nature of a declaration of preference for the completion of the Buller railway and the establishment of through traffic from Christchurch to Nelson, via the Otira tunnel and was against a direct connexion between Christchurch and Picton. However, said Mr E. H. Penny, the president, though they were disappointed, they should not be daunted, and should keep the Railway League's flag [lying. He did not agree with Mr W. l'toUard's suggestion contained in of Press interview that Marlborough should nbandon the idea of securing railway connexion with Christchurch as a hopeess cause, and concentrate on an agitaLion for the construction of a line from Blenheim to the West Coast through Wairau Valley, linking up with the newly suggested South Island Main rrunk Line at Glenhope. Mr R. F. Goulter delivered an address in which he defended the merits of ;he East Coast line, in reply to Mr Polaid's appeal to look to the west instead }f the south. It was decided not to proceed with the election of officers for the ensuing rear but to adjourn that business, pending enquiries to be made by the chairman and secretary as to the developments of the movement to form a Marlborough Progress League of a reiresentative character. Mr Goulter pointed out that it would se part of the functions of such a eagtie to determine the future railway policy of the province, and entrust the Campaigning of that policy to a cc-m----nittee. ______^___