NORTH AUCKLAND LINE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28951, 20 July 1959, Page 10

NORTH AUCKLAND LINE

Dargaville Mourns Closing “The Press' Special Service DARGAVILLE, July 19 hundred schoolchildren and 100 adults were passengers in the last train from Donnelly’s Crossing when it arrived at Dargaville on Friday morning. On the front of the« locomotive was a large wreath which had been made by Mr J A. McPherson special duties director ol Auckland parks. The engine also earned whitewashed slogans and the guard’s van was liberally decorated. Several hundred people said goodbye to the afternoon train Before it left the Mayor ot Dargaville (Mr S. S. Green) deplored the closing of the line. .. *' We never thought,’’ he said that a Labour Government would show such little consideration for the well-being of so many hard-working, struggling people who are doing their best to bring into production the once forest-covered land of the district.” Mr Green criticised the Minister of Railways (Mr Moohan) for refusing to visit the district to discuss the future of the line. Mr J. Thomas, the Dargaville station master, rang the bell and the last train left for Donnelly’s Crossing.