CONSTRUCTION TO BE HASTENED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23625, 30 April 1942, Page 4

CONSTRUCTION TO BE HASTENED

* SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY “COMPLETION ESSENTIAL” (P.R.) WELLINGTON, April 29. The intention of the Government to expedite the construction of the South Island main trunk railway, and also the Gisborne railway, as men became available from defence works, was expressed in an interview to-day by the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong). He emphasised that the completion as far as possible of the railway link between Canterbury and Marlborough was essential for strategic reasons. Mr Armstrong said that until steel became available the line could not he completed, and a gap would be left between the Kowhai river and Kaikoura. Two bridges had to be built on that stretch, while another bridge had to be built over the river at Kaikoura. Some miles of plate-laying remained to be done to complete the line from Wharanui to Kaikoura, leaving a gap of about seven miles. Stock could be driven easily over that section to the railheads of both the northern and southern sections, while any passengers could be transported by bus.

“The South Island main trunk is one of the first major jobs on which the department will concentrate when labour becomes available,” said the Minister, who added that only one mile of line remained to be laid to link Gisborne with Napier.