RIVAL ROUTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10733, 2 November 1928, Page 4

RIVAL ROUTES.

HON. K. S. WILLIAMS REPLIES . TO MR. CLAYTON.

ALLEGED RUMOR STRONGLY DENIED.

INI/AND SURVEY NOT COMPLETED.

“You will have noticed,” remarked the. Hon. K. S', Williams at Makaraka last night, “that a rumor has Been going round, and it has even been quoted on the public platform, thqt the report- on the survey of the inland route, for the railway is already - in my hands and that, inferential!}', it is being deliberately withheld. I can give that a most emphatic denial. “The survey has not been completed,” continued Mr. Williams, “and fhc figures are not available on which to base a decision. I visited the district recently and asked the District Engineer how the survey was progressing. He replied that about six or seven miles remained to be surveyed, But that, if necessary, he might be able to make a rough estimate of the costs involved. In view of the Importance of the undertaking and the large amount involved, I considered that it would be better to wait until an accurate forecast of the cost of each mile of the line could be made, before coining to a decision. “Rough estimates,” he added, “are not wanted in a matter like this. As soon as tho reports of the survey are available, I can assure you than you will have m.v decision without any delay/’ (Applause.) A ‘WRETCHED INNUENDO. MR. CLAYTON AND THE RED HERRING.

With reference to the GishorneWairoa railway route question, Mr. Clayton iold hiss audience at the City Hall last night that he had a considered opinion on the matter that there wasnothin g else for it but a coastal route. He asserted that the attempt to draw a red herring across the scent, to get the work held up, should be resented. (Applause.) Ho considered this had been done by Mr. Lysnar at the instance of a body of gentlemen, who, i " doubt, meant well. He pointed out that, tw’enty years ago, a survey had Bren made far up the Hangaroa Valley. What had become of that report? Why was it that at the behest of the member for Gisborne and 10 or 50 other gentlemen, the progress of the whole line was being hold up? Mr. Cl avion claimed that the Minister for Public Works . should have asked for that report to be presented to him again. The late Mr. Armstrong, who had worked on the construction of the inland line, had no doubt reported it was unsatisfactory, otherwise why had three miles of the line been taken up and shifted to Tauranga. Why did the Minister want to draw a red' herring across the scent? He pointed out that between January and April a lot of men had been transferred from the XapierWairoa line to other works. Mr. Clayton said he would like the Minister for Public Works to give an emphatic and direct statement whether or not the statement concerning the inland route survey was handed into his Department two or three weeks ago, as a rumor had come from Wellington to that effect. ‘•'lf the Minister says he has not received it, we can believe him, hut, if the report has been handed in, what is the reason that it has not been made known to the people of the .district?”