GISBORNE RAILWAY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 12080, 20 October 1933, Page 7

GISBORNE RAILWAY

CIVIC LEAGUE’S REPRESENTA-

TIONS. PREMIER DEFENDS NEW IVELLINGTON STATION Some time ago the Gisborne Civic and Railway League addressed a letter to tbe acting-Prime Minister, tbe Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, urging the •district’s claims to a railway and criticising the expenditure of large sums on non-productive works such as the new railway station at Wellington. No reply was forthcoming for some time, and then the following letter from tho Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G- IV. Forbes, was received: “With reference to your letter of July 28 last, regarding the NanierGisborne railway, I have- to inform you that careful consideration has boon given to the representations made therein.

“You will he aware, of course, that the Government Railways Board made a report on this line. The hoard could not sco its way to recommend the completion of the line, and Parliament adopted the board’s report. I can see no reason to suppose that Parliament would he likely to take any other course in regard to this line, unless some, circumstances arose which might lead the- Government- a n d Railways Board to come to a eonelusion different from that arrived at by tlio board on its previous investigation. 1 have therefore Conferred with tlio board regarding your communication, an c l I am informed that tho board cannot sop. that there has been any alteration in the circumstances affecting flic Nnpier-Gis-borne project which would justify a departure from the recommendation previously made by it. The circumstances associated with the erection of a new station at. Wellington find no parallel at all in the circumstances that affect the question of constructing elm railway between Napier and Gisborne.

“Tho provision of a now station at Wellington is an integral and necessary part of a project which it was decided some years ago was absolutely essential to the proper working oj tiie open railways. Your league will appreciate that ir is one thing Vo make that provision which is considered ro he necessary for the working of the present railways to a, proper standard, and quite another tiling to undertake tlie provision of furi’K-r railways. The erection of a. new station at Wellington simply involves ihe natural progression of works already decided upon. “The question was seriously considered in connection wjlh the now Wellington station as to whether something of a nature That would not involve such an outlay as is necessary for the complete new station could not tic made to moot present conditions. This could he but temporary, and on consideration by the Government of the temporary and permanent schemes it was concluded that in the interests of economy and efficiency, the permanent scheme should ho brought to fruition as soon as possible

“I feel sure that on a fuller consideration of the position, in the lig - 1 of the forego.ng. your league will agree with me that the provision of tlie now station at Wellington does not really alter the position in regard fo the Gisborne project, and certainly docs not. provide any grounds for fooling, on the part of your league. that any differentiation Ims been made, as against the Gisborne district in favor of Wellington. Tlie league then addressed the following communication to Mr, Forbes: “My league much appreciates the attention which you have given to the matter referred to, so soon after your return to the Dominion. Your letter has been considered by uiv committee. It feels that in view of the new proposals main by the Government transmitted through Messrs K. S. Williams, M.P.. and H. M. Campbell, M.P., respecting the Napier-Wai ron-Gisborne railway, to the representatives of this district, it has no further comments to make in the meantime. The league is represented upon. the district committee sot up to consider the proposals. The league desires to take this opportunity to .felicitate you upon your safe return to New Zealand.