RAILWAY DEVIATION

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 124, 19 February 1938, Page 8

RAILWAY DEVIATION

Re-Survey At Palmerston

North A statement that although the Public Works Department was making every effort to start work on the Palmerston North railway deviation, it would be some time before any large number of men could be employed, was made yesterday by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. It. Semple. A sum of £25,000 was voted on the last Public Works estimates for this work. The Minister said that in order to proceed with the Palmerston North railway construction works, it was necessary for the department to make a complete re-survey and set of plans before the construction could be put in hand, since owing to altered conditions the arrangement now proposed differed materially from the original lay-out on which construction was in hand when tlie work was closed down. “At the time work was closed down it was apparently anticipated that there was no Immediate prospect of the scheme being proceeded with, and consequently the majority of the land involved was leased to various farmers, said Mr. Semple. “Notices of the department’s intention to resume possession of this land are being sent out, but under the conditions of the leases a reasonable notice Is required. “In order to carry out this work with economy and expedition, it will be necessary to employ modern machinery, and much of this, together with the necessary service, rails, trucks, etc., has to be indented. “It will be understood, therefore, that although the department is making every effort to get the work started as soon as possible, some time must necessarily elapse before any large number of men can be employed.”