AUCKLAND RAILWAYS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1388, 14 March 1912, Page 6

AUCKLAND RAILWAYS.

THE LEAGUE'S POLICY. IBy Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.! Auckland, March 13. Now.that the AVailii-Tauraiiga section of tho East Coast railway has commenced from the Waihi end, and a promise has boen given that it will be speedily prosecuted, the energies of the Auckland Railway League aro free to be diverted into another channel. With a view to ascertaining what the policy of the league will bo henceforth, a reporter interviewed tho president (Mr. G. L. Pcacocke) on tho subject. "It will be our nolicy noiv," said Mr. Peacocko made reference, was tho fact that notice of whatever Government is in power tho great, importance of. beginning tho work of constructing a. loop Hue from l'aeroa to some point on the Main Trunk linn near Pokiuo. The main argument in favour of faking this work in hand at the earliest possible moment is that it will reduce the distance by rail between Auckland and the Hauraki Goldfields by at least U miles. This saving,of distance will also ultimately apply' to tho whole of tho Bay of Plenty district, when the main lino has been completed through to Opotiki, nnd afterwards to Gisborne." Another feature in favour of tho proposed Paeroa-Pokino lino to which Mr. Peacock made reference, was the fact that for almost tho entire distance it would traverse the Hauraki Plain. The latter being absolutely level would entail very fow curves, making haulage easy and constructive work cheap. The Government was expending a largo sum of money on drainage works, and of course tho provision °f railwnv connection with Auckland and the Main Trunk lino would also greatly promote the success of the settlers the Government aro placing on this valuable block of country. Other branch lines which i Mr. Peacocke intimated would bo urged by tho league as immediate future requirements, were the Waiuku to Pukekohe and Kawhia to Main Trunk lines.