TO WAIRARAPA

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 108, 8 May 1923, Page 8

TO WAIRARAPA

THE RAILWAY DEVIATION

WHAT THE ENGINEERS PROPOSE

CROSS CREEK TO MUNGAROA.

Although brief and vague the Minister of Public Works made an important statement to-day regarding the route of the proposed deviation of the Rimutaka railway lino from Wellington to the Wairarapa. Mr. Coates said that the Public Works Engineer would recommend that the line should be construced from Ctoeb Creek through to the existing line by tunnel; at least, it was pretty obvious from the data prepared that the recommendation must take that form.

Mr. T. M. Wilford. M.P.. who accompanied a deputation from the Hutt County, broached the subject when he asked the Minister to say definitely whether the deviation would follow the proposed Waimii-o-mata route.

The Minister said that the full data had been prepared, but he had not yet seen the correoted figures, and it would not be muoh use him making a statement until he had the figures before him.

"We know what the approximate costs are going to bo," he added. Mi-. W;lford: "We only want to know the route."

The Minister:. "Perhaps Cabinet would like to see the proposals before I make any statement."

Mr. Wilford: "When can we have the statement?"

The Minister (to Mr. Furkert. Chief Engineer)..: "When could I have the figures?"

Mr. Furkert: "Tc-day, if you like.' The Minister reiterated that it might be necessary to place the matter before Cabinet. It was pretty obvious however, that the engineers would rocommend a deviation from Cross Creek through by tunnel to the existing railway line.

Mr. Wilford: "Then you will go under the hill instead of over?"

The Minister: "Exactly. We will go under instead of over. I am informed that this scheme is by far the cheapest and most practicable of all the schemes that have been proposed." Mr. Coatos promised that he would make a full statement on the matter at an early date.

On making inquiries later in the duy, a representative of "The Poet" was given to understand that the deviation would link up with the present line near Mungaroa-. The scheme .if adopted, wil'i cut out two railway stations only, Kaitoke and The Summit. The deviation could 1)6 constructed without in any way interfering with the traffic o/.er the existing line.