NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 766, 15 March 1910, Page 6

NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

e—: THE BATTLE AS TO ROUTE. ME. MAUDES BEPLTES TO HON. E. MTOBNZIE. (By Telejrranh.—Snecial OorreEDondent.l Auckland, March 14. In connection with the Hon. B. M"Kenzie's statement, regarding the North Auckland railway, Mr'. F. Mander, I[.P. for Marsdon, who is a strong advocate of the eastern route, had something to say to a "Star" reporter to-day. "The Minister for Public Works has endeavoured to show that the railway will be more bencficial if taken to the westward," said Mr. Mander. "This contention is absolutely wrong. If the line went via Pukekaroro to Maungatoroto, as laid out by the engineers, and thence from Eogers (at Wairiri) on to M'CarrolTs, it would not only meet the requirements of the settlers on the eastern side, but also satisfy the requirements of those on the western sidj; equally as well. The Hon. Mr. MTvenzie has said a lot about the desirability of running the line eastward to the Bickerstaffe Estate, but only 50 settlers would derive any actual benefit at the point. Likewise, the extension eastward over the original route advocated by the Government engineers will save the cost of a most expensive bridge over the Otamatea Biver, and will enable the Government to avoid some of the ' worst. possible country for railway construction purposes. Taken to the east, the. route will be easy of access, and much more economical, and wiH tap one of the finest ballast pits in the north, which, besides being useful for ballast purposes, will also provide settlers with -mucn-needed road metaL ■ "The Minister for. Public, Works asserts that the /eastern route runs over precipitous country, arid would serve but few people. Admittedly for about' two miles north of. Pukekaroro there is a short stretch of rough country, but,' from an engineering point of view, it is not at all formidable compared with some of the propositions the engineers were called ■upon to face in constructing the Mairi Trunk line between Wellington and Auckland. The engineers certainly prefer' the eastern route, and consider there is nothing so .difficult to negotiate on the eastern.route as.the.country near Bickerstaffei, on the western, side.. Mr. Stewart stated before the Petitions Committee in Wellington last, session that it would be impossible to accurately.' estimate. the cost. of putting a line through the Bickerstaffe section, and that 'statement was supported'by Mr. Holmes. As to the question of which route will serve the greater number of people, there are quite 1800, who have settled on the eastern side, expecting thai the railway would go via Mangawai, Hakaru, Kaiwaka, Brinderwyn, Maungaturotci, and Waipu, which latter place - alone hac' a population of about 900,' and will be practically cut off from all communication if toe railway does not go that way, seeing that it has. a bar harbour that is almost unworkable." Asked what reply lie could mate to the Ministers statement that the eastern route will run through 20 to 25 milw of mountain ranges, Mr. Mander replied that there.. Ib a. range of hills limning northward from Pukekaroro, a large portion _ of, which /is already settled, and S i ?! '" le 8° way there is no doubt that the country, thereabouts will be moro'thickly'settled later on. At present much of tho land is still reservedand, not open'for settlement. If .the line goes via Eogers, as suggested, it will pass good country all the way, and at,this point, would join, tho, proposed -western line, so that tho Minister's argument is m Mr. Mander'6 opinion difficult to understand, peaking of the possibility of feeding the line from the Wairoa side if the line crosses .below .Tangiteroria, the member for Marsden said that more would be lost than gained by running the railway close to the. Wairoa Biver. . Last year the imports into the Wairoa by boat ran,into £1400. This will not, help to feed the railway. Both sides want the opportunity to reach the railway. > "If the engineers had been left alone,, I feel, sure that tho best interests of the. country would 'have been : "served," said Mr. Mander. "If the Minister' had foltowed the recommendation of , the Petitions Committee, a Boyal Commission could have been set up and reported to the Government within a month or two. By pushing lie line on towards Bickerstaffe it looks ,as though the Minister is determined to carry the line westward. The Minister .for Public Works, in the course of his remarks last Saturday, gave the impression that the whole quertion is to be submitted to a Boyal Commission at . once.' If that is' done there will be general satisfaction, but if the line -is' pushed'on to M'Carroll's Gap before setting up a commission there mil be nothing, but dissatisfaction. The Minister has said ■ something about waste: of time and throwing the men out of work, but it would, surely have been better to pay the men for doing .nothing than .to waste monoy on a route that will increase the cost ,of freights on the people for all time."