THORNDON SEA-WALL

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 103, 17 January 1923, Page 6

THORNDON SEA-WALL

AUTHORITY GIVEN FOR PROMPT START

NEED FOR A NEW STATION

The Minister of Railways (Mr. Guthrie) stated yesterday that Cabinet, by giving authority for the expenditure of £50,000 on the work for this financial year, had made it possible to commence at once the construction of the Thorndon retaining wall and reclamation. Mr. Guthrie said that as all the plans had been completed there was now no reason for which the work should not be commenced 1 immediately. It might bo carried out by the Harbour Board or by contract, which ever was decided upon as most suitable. “Apparently,” stated the Minister, “the work of reclamation will extend over a longer period than was at first anticipated, but every effort will be made now to expedite tho work in order that the erection of the new station can be put in hand with a’ little delay as possible.. Both -Thorndon and Lambton -stations are being worlol now at a very groat disadvantage to the Railway Department and the public generally; and, from an economical point of view, it is urgently necessary that tho work should be pushed on to its completion. Until the reclamation at the Kaiwarra Bight has been completed, it is reported that the relaying of the lines np to the central station cannot be proceeded with. The work is so urgently needed that in the interests of tho Railway Department it cannot be delayed. As soon as wo get the retaining wall erected, the Harbour Board will got its dredges to work outside and pump sj>oil into the area to be reclaimed. The probability is that the plant that tho board has mav bo found to bo inadequate for the work that has to bo undertaken, and the board may have to purchase or borrow other machinery to carry out tho work expeditiously.” Mr. Guthrie added that tho estimated total cost of the reclamation work was £560.000, and that tho Railway Department’s share of tho expense was £450,000.