“Mighty Big” Works Plan For Auckland

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22822, 17 December 1948, Page 6

“Mighty Big” Works Plan For Auckland

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 16. Finality has been reached on a master plan for the development of railways and public works for the Auckland district popularly known as the 10-year plan. The Minister of Works. Mr. R. Semple, announced this after his arrival from Wellington today.

Tjie plan will be submitted to Cabinet on January 12 and, if approved, will be brought to Auckland by Mr. Semple and explained to a conference of local bodies. “This plan for Auckland is a mighty big job,” Mr. Semple said. “It is not a 10-year plan but a 100-year plan. With the rapid increase in population it is essential that we look far into the future and make sure that we are right.” Mr. Semple stated that the ideas of the railways and Works Department had been co-ordinated. Asked to comment on the proposed electrification of the Main Trunk railway system and the Auckland suburban lines. Mr. Semple said this was an essential part of the whole scheme. The Government was being advised by some of the most capable engineers in the Britsih Commonwealth who are now in the Dominion preparing recom mendations on the best system to adopt. “We want to ensure we have the best system in the world,” the Minister added.

In July last Mr. Semple estimated the cost of the proposed Auckland works in the Ten year plan” as follows: Metropolitan, £8,000,000; Government, £14,000.000; housing, £14,000,000; minor, £4,000,000.