RAILWAY SURVEY ASKED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1235, 18 September 1911, Page 6

RAILWAY SURVEY ASKED.

UPPER HD'IT TO AKATARAWA-

A meeting was held at the Upper Hutt Town Hall on Friday evening to consider a proposal looking to construction of a railway from Upper Hutt to Akatarawa. Mr. J. Whiteman presided over an attendance of about 30U residents.

Tho principal speaker was Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P. He stated that the completion of the Main Trunk lino and the rapid growth of traffic on the Wanganui and New Plymouth sections, had led to a congestion on tlie Manawatu line, and hence the Railway Department were faced with the necessity of duplicating this length. Now that the Government were looking for a suitable route for the second line, it was decided, in the interests of the district, to advance the merits of tlio Akatarawa route. This was also another important reason why this lino should bo'constructed. In cose of war tlie mobilisation of troops could be carried out in seaport towns which were vulnerable to naval attack. There would have to.bo'a large military camp at Palmerston North, and every facility must be available for the rapid transport of troops to Wellington. _ Tho proposed route from ■Akatarawa to Upper Hutt was totally djf. l'erent from the one surveyed 31 years ago. Tho new proposal entailed the construction of only one tunnel, and the highest altitude reached would be 11,070 ft. In addition, some rich pastoral and timber country would be tapped. The following motion, moved by Mr. Wilford, and seconded by Mr. J. Edwards' was unanimously carried:—"This meeting of residents and electors of the Upper Hutt and Akatarawa districts—in tho proposed electorates of Hutt, Otaki, and ' Wellington Suburbs and Country respectfully asks that a sum be provided for tho purpose of conducting a flying survcv of the country between Upper Hutt anil Waikanao railway stalions, with a view to ascertaining the suitability of that route for railway purposes in connection with the duplication of tho North-Western railway; and in particular the survey of that portion of tho country lying between the junction of the Akatarawa River and Bull Creek and tho point, where the suggested railway line would cross tho Waikanao River."

Several other speakers supported tho proposal, and it was resolved to invite tho various public bodies interested to join in a deputation to the Minister for Public Works on the subject.