THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 139, 13 June 1908, Page 4

THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

• There is sometimes a great deal in a name, notwithstanding Shakspere's dictum to the contrary. For instance, it has become customary to apply the term "Main Trunk line " J solely to the railway work in the I North Island designed to connect Wellington with Auckland. The J southern portion of the same national i system has had various appellations ! bestowed upon it. Sometimes it is ! the Pictbn-Bluff line, at others it is J, the Blenheim to Christchurch, while ■ ocasionally it rises to.,the dignity of | the "Southern" Main Trunk. I Officially, however, it is merely., known as the " Blenheim-Waipara. " ] line, a term that implies that it is placed in the same category as an unimportant branch line. It'is about

time the real importance of this line in the national system were recognised by the use of the proper title, and henceforth it is our intention to refer to it as the Main Trunk line. It is certainly this, just as much, as is the central line in the North Island. It is the same main artery, ; and it will be a step in advance if we always regard it as such. The public as well, as the official mind needs attuning to the importance of this great channel of communication, and one step in this direction is to, give it its proper designation. Now that the northern portion is approaching completion we should also be earnestly agitating to obtain the closing of the gap existing in the Southern Island. As a step towards this our League requires revivifying. While other leagues nearer Christchurch are hard at work ours is still asleep, and : its slumber is as the slumber of death. Is there nothing that can shake its dry bones into activity? As an instance of its, sloth it may be mentioned that the . section from Seddon to Blind River j was to have been opened in March. I It is not opened yet, and what is the . League doing about it? |