THE RAILWAYS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 16 October 1924, Page 11

THE RAILWAYS.

GLENHOPE-MURCHISTON GAP. TO EXPEDITE WORK. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Oct. 16. The need for expediting the work of filling in what is generally known as the gap of the uncoiistructed portion of railway between Glenhope and Murchison, and of completing the route to Inangaliua and Westpprt was urged upon tlie Prime Minister and the. Afinister of Public Works to-day by a deputation representing the Nelson Provincial Progress League, the Waimate Countv Council, and districts affected. AUtrious speakers spoke of the importance of the connection and stressed the commercial value of the . country that would be opened up, and showed that if the request were gi.ven effect to there would be a through run. of 700 miles from Nelson to Inverc,argil]. Mr Coates said that they had to take a long look before they could see any prospects of the line paying. Tlie cost ol: completing the line to Inangahua would bo about £1,500,000. The work was progressing, and lie hoped to be able to increase tlie. expenditure, but it would not be very largely increased this year. They could not shut their eyes to the fact that the success of the Midland line depended upon the completion of the line from Nelson to Westport and Inangahua. It would open up trade and reduce losses on tlie existing lines. Mr Massey said that lie agreed that the. line must be completed. “We will do our best for you, and that is all I can say. We will have the PublicWorks Statement known shortly, and I have no doubt you will hear something interesting from that. I hope and believe the completion of this piece of line —it .looks very small on the map, and I only wish it was as small as it looks —will a. long way towards making the whole of the country more prosperous than it is at present.’’ LEVIN-GREATPORD DEVIATION. The case for the Levin-Greatforcl railway deviation as an alternative to the Palmerston North deviation, included in the new railway programme proposed by the Alinister of Railways, was. placed before the Prime Minister and Air Coates to-day by a deputation fiom the whole district. ’ Mr \Y. H. Field said that they did not ask for the Levin-Gveatford demotion to be proceeded with at once, hut that an adequate survey should be made. Figures were quoted to show the annual surplus from the railway deviation would be £28,800, ruifieien't to pay interest- at 5 per cent on £566 - 000, covering the cost of construction. There would be considerable savings in working the Alain Trunk railway, and consequent benefit to the whole'of the North Island. The Prime Alinister said that he had been over the country seme thirty years ago, and no doubt some day the railway would be made. At present the question was sub judi'ce. The railway commissioners were now in the country and would no doubt consider it in tlieir report. In the meantime, ah they could do was to wait for tlie leport. In reply to.a question regarding the survey. Air Massey said: “1 think you will find that is to be gone on with." Mr Coates said that he did net know if the commissioners, would he able to go over the ground. What he would suggest to the deputation was that those concerned should reduce their arguments to writing and send a iepresentative along to p it it before the commissioners. The difficulty was to provide for the railway traffic l . All the railways in the world had natural centres, and Palmertson North was one of these railway centres. Palmerston allowed - a very fine interchange of traffic. These facts must he taken into consideration.