HUTT RAILWAY.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 19, 2 October 1930, Page 10

HUTT RAILWAY.

COMPLETION OF TRACKS.

WHEN AND WHERE?

GOVERNMENT UNDECIDED

Where the proposed new railway will run through the Hutt Valley, and when its construction will be undertaken, were questions asked by a deputation sponsored by Mr. Waitor Nash, M.P., which waited on the Acting-Prime Minister, Hon. E. A. Ransom, and Minister of Railways, Hon. W. A. Veitch, on Thursday morning. No definite reply could be given.

Mr. Ransom regretted that he was unable to give any definite information at present, but he assured the deputation that the matters' placed before him had already claimed the attention of the Government and were not likely to be forgotten.

Associated with Mr. Nash was Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., and the deputation comprised Messrs. D. R. Hoggard (chairman), W. Dyer, W. Fi C. Whiteman, Robinson (clerk), representing the Hutt Gourity Council; Sir Alexander Roberts (mayor of Lower Hutt), Mr. D. McKenzie (mayor of Petone) and Mr W. F. Sturman (town ■clerk), Mr. P. Robertson (mayor of Upper Hutt).

"We are here," said Mr. Nash, introducing the deputation, "to get from you the Government's policy with regard to the railway deviation in the Hutt Valley. We have been trying to get this information for twelve months or more in connection with a scheme of regional town planning in the Valley. Until those concerned get this information they cannot go on with their development scheme."

Figures were quoted by Mr. Nash to show the increase in the Hutt Valley both in population and in capital value within the last few years. For the two years, 1928 and 1929, the State advances had actually advanced money amounting: to £590,000 for 642 homes. The Hutt

County had doubled its valuation since 1909, and if another valuation were taken this year it would show an increase of at least a million pounds. . . Injustice to [Landowners. As the railway would go through a big portion of his constituency in the Hutt Valley, Mr. W. H. Field al 7 so spoke. "The intention is, I believe, to continue the present eastern line from Waterloo stati; ■ a and connect with Silverstream," said Mr. Field, "but what the course will be will be for the engineers of the Railway Department to decide. The .next question is when will the Government proceed with the work? For years a proclamation has been held over land in Taita where the line is going to run. The people who own i this land are unable to do anything while the proclamation exists, and it seems to me to be doing a gross wrong to these people for the Government not to declare its intention." Town-planning Troubles. f "The development that has taken place in the Hutt Valley during the last five years," said Mr. Hoggard, "has been somewhat phenomenal. During the last twelve months the Hutt county has had 1200 subdivisions, half of them in the Hutt Valley. During the next few years' the subdivisions must proceed at a much greater rate. However, the county is seriously embarrassed in the matter of subdivisions by its lack of knowledge of what will be the ultimate direction of the railway. It has decided on some scheme of regional town planning and the development of a well-balanced town-planning area." , Affecting Ijower Hutt. "The question is rather broader than-the construction of the actual railway line itself," said Sir Alexander Roberts. "Apart from the land over which the line will actually run, there is a considerable area for some distance on either side of the line to be affected. "We do not wish in any way to ask the Government to proceed with the line now, but we do want to

know whether we can go on safely on the assumption that some time the railway line will be put where it-has been suggested. Or can. we wipe out the railway and proceed with our town-planning scheme ?"

Sir Alexander pointed out that while Lower Hutt was thickly populated on the west and east sides, there was a large block in .the cen-r tre. People in the centre were complaining of the lack of road con? traction and access, but they had to be told that nothing could be done in the way of permanent improvements until the policy of the Government was known. "We are very, closely associated with the Epuni riding in the Hutt county, and we are working* together with the utmost harmony to deyise a balanced regional town-planning: scheme.'' Asked by Mr. Hansom whether he desired to say anything, Mr. Veitch said: "I think this is a Cabinet matter. I don't think we can decide on anything here." ;V"Mr. Ransom's Beply. "The Government has recognised for some months the necessity for coming to some finality in the mat- , ter," said the Acting-Prime Minister. "All will appreciate that to make any statement before we are ready would be neither fair to the people in the Hutt Valley nor to the Government." Remarking that the phenomenal advance in the Hutt Valley was largely due to the present railway, Mr. Ransom continued. "If it were possible for the Government to give a definite statement oh the Questions asked by the deputation, it would be particularly desirable. But you are all perfectly aware that so far as the Railway Department is concerned it is at present in the melting pot." He wished it to be understood that what would be done in the Hutt Valley would depend on what was decided in connection with the Government policy concerning*)its railways in the Dominion as a whole. It would be unwise for him to make any definite statement on the point whil« the^House was being given the opportunity to consider the tJovernment's whole railway policy\ "It would be unwise for the Government to make any statement of j policy until it has decided what the policy is to be," he proceeded. "At present it is not in a position to give any definite statement as to the time, and where, the line will be/proceeded with." It was suggested by Mr. Nash that the question should be referred to a special committee, but Mr. Ransom did not agree that, that course was advisable at present. Only lines under construction were so referred. Mr. Nash: But this line is already half-way to Silverstream. '- "If the Government-—I will make it broader than that—if Parliament should decide that some of the lines now under construction should be stopped," continued Mr. Ransom, "then unquestionably the Government would have to consider taking on the surplus labour, and would have to look round arid find new avenues. Unquestionably the improving of existing lines would be one of the things taken into consideration. These things are all wrapped up with the policy of the Government, and it would" be unwise to say anything definite just at present." Not Encouraging Speculators. ,Mr. Nash repeated that if the question were referred to a committee the economics of it could be, considered. "Yes," .replied Mr. Ransom, "but is it- wise to say so? I don't think it is. It is not fair to people who are looking for investments, and I am not going to make any statement I that would lead to a rush of speculators. To lift the proclamation | would have the same results. It would be a greater cost if we lifted themv now and then went back for the land later. Mr. Veitch: I agree with every | word you say. i | Mr. Ransom: The matter raised will not be lost sight of and it j might be nearer than perhaps is | realised. •