WATERLOO LINE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 92, 20 April 1931, Page 8

WATERLOO LINE

EXTENSION URGED

VALUABLE WORK

A public meeting of Stokes Valleyresidents held on Saturday night to discuss access questions considered, among others, the matter of the extension of the Hutt branch railway (Waterloo line) from Waterloo to Silverstream. The chairman (Mr. G. Conibe) said the question was of the utmost importance; direct railway communication was needed by the whole district. Mr. De Laney suggested that now was the time for carrying out the railway which would give valuable employment to many who, if not unemployed, were being employed on uneconomic works. It was clear from the surveys the Government had carried out that it was intended to go on with the work sooner or later, and now was the opportune time. On his motion it was decided to approach the Government with the request for the extension. It was also decided, on the motion of Mr. Adams, to ask each district in tlie valley to support the project, this matter to be left in the hands of the Progressive Association. The possibility of the railway passing through Stokes Valley was mentioned. ■ The first East Coast railway to be projected was surveyed to. pass through Stokes Valley. Mr. Bramwell introduced another proposition when he requested the meeting to consider the formation of a road to connect with Taita. over the hill at the head of the valley. Such a road would pass over a fairly steep -hill, but would cut off four miles in a southern journey. From the end of the present Stokes Valley road there' would- be a rise of about 450 feet, and a descent of about 600 feet into Taita. The meeting was of the opinion that the work would give valuable employment at the present time, and the Hutt County Council is to be requested to give the question consideration.