GISBORNE RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1269, 26 October 1911, Page 5

GISBORNE RAILWAY.

. 4 THE HASTINGS POINT OP VIEW. (By TelctraDli.—SDecial CorreSDondanl.) Auckland, October 25. At his political mooting in Havelock last night, Mr. 11. A. Mossman presiding, Mr. G. Spencer Clapham touched 011 the question of the Gisborne railway running into and through Hastings, as against tho proposed route along the Petane beach. At the close of his address, he asked Mr. 11. A. Mo?sman to givo a short account of the position regarding the commencement of the work and the probable route of tho railway. Mr. Mossman said he had been closoly associated with tho work from its commencement, and assured the audience thero was some truth in tho report that the railway might go along Petane beach instead of inland from either Hastings, Paki Paki, or Taradale; but lie urged that the claims of Hastings lor serious consideration were exceedingly strong, and undoubtedly ought to be investigated to the fullest extent. He pointed out that a quarter of a century ago, whon tho Petano beach route was surveyed, Hastings was only an inconsequent country town, but owing to the country being cut up it had since grown into a most important centre, with a great future before it. Under these circumstances Hastings, with its increasing population, its growing consequence, and its thousands upon thousands of opulent acres, should be considered when tho route of tho new railway was being determined. Ho emphasised tho fact that he was not suggesting that they should clamour that tho routo should lie through Hastings, but he insisted that the claims of this district should bo duly weighed in tho general interns before a decision was arrived at. Tile Hon. 11. M'Kcnzie had promised to investigate all probable routes, but so far he had not fulfilled that promise. After discussion tho following resolution was put to tho meeting and carried unanimously:— "That whereas it appears to the public that the Gisborno rail way, commencing from this end, may run along the Petano shingle bench, this public mooting of over 150 persons urgently insists that tho Hon. Che Minister for Public Works fulfil hi 3 promise to send his officers to investigate Iho best route to link up Gisborno with the. Wellington-Hawke's Bay railway system, and that such investigation bo made immediately and before the Government commits itself to a route." A petition dealing with the same subject is at present being circulated in Hastings.