RAILS REMOVED

Grey River Argus, 24 July 1941, Page 6

RAILS REMOVED

* From Line Near Gowan NELSON PROGRESS LEAGUE CONCERNED. NELSON. July 23. An emergency meeting of the executive of the Nelson Provincial Progress League was called 1 ' in e.oni sequence of the line beyond Gleni hope being lifted and sent to other parts of New Zealand. There are eight to ten miles of line between G.enhope and the Gowan Bridge, but this has not been usad for some considerable time. It is understood that some rails from the Gowan end have been transported by lorry by wa / of Tophouse and the Wairau Valle',' fc use on the East Coast lino, which is being completed, and that arrange ments are being made for a train tc transport rails from this section tc Nelson and ship them to Wellington New Zealand is very short of the heavier kind of rails, which an needed for replacmy the worn sections of lines in other parts oi the Dominion, where there is heavier and pavab’e traffic Because of the war these cannot be obtained from, out ide in sufficient Quantities, and. with the idea of making the nest use of the ones available, some of those now laid beyond Glenhope are being lifted. The Government is

committed to the completion ot the South Island Main Trunk with its terminal at Picton. Nelson-Glennope section of the line does not pay. The next two sections, to Kawatin and Gowan, were l ready for trains when work was suspended, while earthworks had been formed down towards Murchisom

The Progress League has sent the following telegram to the • ActingPrime Minister, Minister of Kailways. Minister of Public Works. and Member for Nelson (Mr *H. Atmore): —“We are informed that the rails already laid on the permanent way of the Midland line between Glenhope and Gowan Bridge are being removed. If so this League, officially representing all the local bodies xjn the district, stronglv protests against their removal, but if it is absolutely necessary as a war measure, the League asks for an assurance that the rails will be replaced as soon as circumstances permit. The line would have reached Murchison in fifteen months if its construction had not been stopped in ' 1931. and in view of repeated assurances bv all Governments for many decades. w« for this assurance.”