RAILWAY PROGRESS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21261, 25 November 1943, Page 2

RAILWAY PROGRESS

The announcement made at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce that mutual support is to be given by the members of Parliament for the Gisborne and Bay of Plenty electorfit.es to secure the completion of the railway link with Auckland will have been warmly welcomed. When all interests, political and commercial, are working for the same end it, should not be difficult to persuade the Government when the time .is opportune that the North Island East Coast railway system cannot be deemed complete until this through service has been inaugurated. Mr. Coleman and Mr. Sullivan are to be commended for their co-operative attitude and also the Chamber of Commerce for the zeal it is bringing to the task of encouraging the advancement of the district.

When the line to Motuhora was originally commenced the intention was to drive right through to the north, and it was a project that found much favour with the Auckland Railway League. As the line was advanced into the mountain range dividing the Gisborne area from the Bay of Plenty, however, surveys revealed that, much diificulty would be experienced in mapping out a suitable route, principally because of the problem of “making distance” for grading purposes over the comparatively • narrow fringe of land between the mountainous barrier and the sea. The engineers who made the last survey suggested the construction of two large spirals on the Raurimu pattern, as well as a number of viaducts, and on the score of expense the work was suspended. Since those days a good deal of bush has been cleared and, with the aid of modern aerial photography, it should be possible to make a more detailed inspection of tentative routes which may facilitate the construction and reduce the final cost. The theory has already been submitted that it may be advisable to deviate ift the. direction of the Urewera country, So far as the Gisborne district is concerned, there is little likelihood of a “battle’ of the. routes” arising. The unanimous wish will be that the railway should link this town with AuckInad as soon as possible after the war. It would be an ideal scheme to put into operation under the returned soldiers’ rehabilitation pblicy. Whatever expense may be involved, the railway should not be long in showing a profit thoroughly justifying the enterprise.