TAWA FLAT

Evening Post, Volume 137, Issue CXI, 10 June 1926, Page 10

TAWA FLAT

DEVIATION PROJECT

PROGRAMME TO BE FOLLOWED

PRIME MINISTER'S DECLARATION.

A deputation representative of the Tawa Flat Progressive League, Wellington Civic League, Chamber of Commerce, Hutt County Council, Makara County Council, Johnsonville Town Board, Titahi Bay Progressive Association, and other bodies interested, waited on the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) to-day to ask when the Tawa Flat railway deviation would be started. In his Teply, Mr. Coates stated that tho programme laid down would be adhered to, the work being scheduled to be completed at the end of 1929. Only in the event of it being necessary to give employment to men out of work would a commencement with the preliminary operations be made this winter. Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., who introducjd the deputation, said that the success and development of the Manawatu district depended on the improvement of the railway, and to that end they hoped an early start would be made with the deviation. He thought that Tawa Flat would be brought within 14 minutes of the city when the deviation was finished. As things were at present the bus proprietors were able to compete successfully with the railway. The Tawa Flat people were anxious that a new 'station_should be erected near the site of the present one, and that similar stations to those on the Hutt line would be built so that the heavy traffic could be properly dealt with when the district was more thickly populated. WILL PAY AT ONCE. Mr, T. C. Chegwidden, speaking for the Tawa Flat Progressive League, asked when the work would be started. •It had been shown that the new line would make a profit directly it was completed, and the sooner they could achieve that object tho better it would be for the whole country. He remarked on the natural advantages of the Tawa Flat district for settlement purposes. Mr. W. D. Steele asked where the proposed main station at Tawa Flat was to be erected. He said that another station would be required in the valley, where there was plenty of land for building purposes. Settlement " would undoubtedly increase in the district, and unless an extra station was provided, buses would have the chance to compete with th-e railway. In that connection, he suggested that workers' tickets should be provided as an inducement to people to patronise the ■ railway. Mr. G. Sievcrs complained that in the last 17 to 20 years only two houses had been erected in the Tawa Flat area, that fact being due to the Railway Department neglecting the requirements of tho district. Plenty of water was available and there was natural drainage in the valley. NECESSITY FOR CITY. Representing tho Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Andrew Fletcher said that the deviation and better railway facilities wore a necessity for the city. He thought the deviation work and the Thorndon reclamation should be carried out simultaneously. " Mr. A. H. Mildenhall (Hutt County Council) pointed out that by shortening the railway journey residents in portions of. his county would use the railWay. Mr. S. George Nathan (Hutt County Council) endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers, and said that the deviation was of vital importance to the whole of the North Island. Wellington badly needed an improved outlet. Mr. T. Gray (Civic League) supported the request of the deputation, and said that Wellington needed a further outlet for its growing population. PRIME MINISTER'S REPLY. Mr. Coates replied that the deputation had made out a good case from its point of view. Ho was not concerned with the landowner's attitude, but if they wished to pay a small levy on the increased value they would get from their land when the railway deviation was put through, then he would talk business right away. (Laughter.) However, he could assure them that there was no intention of treating the district differently from other places. The money had to be found for the commencement of the work first of all, but quite a good deal of expenditure had been incurred in connection with the preparatory work. Draft specifications for the tunnel were in hand, and the plans were practically ready. The tunnel would be open for construction by tender, and it would be competent for groups of men to put in for the job, the Government finding the money. However, the exact details in that respect had not yet been decided on. They might be a little behind hand in commencing the work, but not very much.

Mr. Coates stressed the necessity for adhering to the programme of work as far as possible. He recognised the advantages that would accrue from the settlement point of view when the deviation was completed. They intended to adhere to the schedule, which sot out that the work was to be completed by the end of 1929. Only if it was necessary to find work for the unemployed would a start be made at once with certain preliminary works, otherwise the project would be done by contract. To follow out the programme, the work would have to be started within the next twelve months. What lie was anxious to do was to save money in the cost of construction. The Acting-Engineer in Chief of Public Works (Mr.C. J. M'Kenzie) said that if another station was to be built an alteration in grades would be necessary. Mr. Coates said that local interests could be consulted by tho Department in-regard to the suggested new station. He would lot Mr. Field know when tho plans in regard to the whole scheme Were completed.