EASTERN HUTT RAILWAY EXTENSION

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 116, 19 May 1930, Page 10

EASTERN HUTT RAILWAY EXTENSION

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—ln a recent issue- of "The Post ■ appeared an article dealing with, the above question. With much that was written I cordially agree, but it seems to me that a little more information would be of service to those interested in the matter. I understand that three routes have been, surveyed: (1) A line from the present Waterloo Station to a point close to the iaita Cemetery, then out to the main road and along the riverside to the junction or bilverstream: (2) aline to Taita Cemetery . as No. 1, but then along the hills on the inside of the Taita Gorge, and thus to Silverstream; (3) a similar route as the two previous, to the cemetery, but then through a tunnel into Stokes Valley, travelling down to within about halt a. niile of the entrance, crossing over and through unother tunnel direct to Silverstream., ' In studying the question of railway con-, stmction one of the essential points will doubtless be initial cost, and, it appears' that No. 1 route- has been abandoned on account of tbe heavy cost owing to_ river protection bein? necessary. It will be noted that the three routes all make for the one point (Taita Cemetery),- so evidently this is (so far) the best route, and presumably the less costly. Another point that I submit should be carefully considered is revenue production; and it'will have to be agreed that the three schemes all touch the same point by traversing the Nai-Nai district, and thus throw open the great revenue possibilities that csist there. If your No. 3 is followed' the initial cost may possibly be a little more than No. 2 route, but, against this must1 be placed revenue, and I would point out that hi—Stokes 'Valley there is much laud open for development and capable of carrying many families. Further, the land necessary for railway, purposes could be acquired at a very reasonable rate. Again, on leaving Stokes Val-~~

ley the railway could quite easily- tap a large amount of ground to the north. The revenue possibilities of this route far outweigh either of tlie other routes, and it appears to me that revenue should be the determining factor governing the.opening of any railway. '

In view of the facts that the present terminus of an uncompleted line is not allowing that line to, earn to its full capacity, that the- completion of the line through. Nai-Nai and Stokes YaUey would, open up big revenue scope, that the pulling in hand of the work would provide profitable work for unemployed. I submit that dhere is every reason why the work 'should be pushed 'on with.—l am, etc.,

A. J. WHITE.