EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 84, 21 March 1911, Page 11

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

it is the policy of the present Government to push on the mam trunk lines steadily towards completion before branch lines, are undertaken, and with this end in view authority was taken last session, and a sum voted, for the construction of the first portion of the Gisborne—Napier section of the main, trunk line which will eventually complete the railway connection between Auckland and Wellington. When this important link in the railway system is completed, one of the richest agricultural and pastoral districts will have, been brought into railway communication with the rest of the Dominion- x Although the sum voted for the line is small, it will, after the survey work is finished, enable a stark to be made’' with the construction of the line; and it is to be hoped that Mr. McKenzie will be able during his present visit to indicate approximately the date when the first sod. will be turned of. ’ a work that will unquestioned of a work that will unquestionably be an important' link in the* colony’s railway system. Abundant testimony has been furnished* by many visitors as to the fine quality of the land in this district; and. whole-hearted support of the vigorous prosecution of the East Coast, line was recently given by a South* Island member of Parliament, Mr. T. E. Taylor, who said: —“I honestly believe that it is the duty ot Parliament to push on the railway from Gisborne inland as fast a» there is money available. There to a vast area of fine country—country that will carry a large, a dense population.” On the same occasion Mr. Taylor bore eloquent testimony to Mr. McKenzie’s impartiality, and to the great weight to be attached, to his judgment in respect to railway routes and construction. One of the blots in the railway policy of the past has been that this part of the East Coast should have been allowed to have remained isolated so long. The chief cause of that, no doubt, has been the Native land difficulty. The hindrances to progress arenow happily disappearing, and there is every prospect of a period of substantial advancement and prosperity ahead. The late Mr. Seddon was one of of the strongest advocates for pushing on the East Coast main trunk line, and it is very pleasing to be able to acknowledge the satisfactory manner in which the railway works are being carried on under Mr. McKenzin’s \ direction. The reniarks of the Minister of Public Works to the settlers of Motu last night will be read, with interest and pleasure. They show clearly that Mr. McKenzie to-* fully alive to the position, and that it is his intention to hasten on ths completion of what is an important; national undertaking.—“ Poverty Bay Herald.”