LEVIN-GREATFORD DEVIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1860, 9 July 1920, Page 5

LEVIN-GREATFORD DEVIATION.

MINISTER PROMISES TO CONSIDER

The revived agitation for the- deviation of the railway from Wellington known as the I.cvin-Greatfoid deviation "as brought under the notice of the Prime Minister yesterday by a deputation representative of the districts affected. It was urged that the deviation was over practically level country, and that, the new lino would ho straight. Mr Massey, in reply, said that he had not had an opportunity of going into the respective proposals legarding the schemes as he could have wished, and owing to stress of work might not bo able to do so during the present cession He had to admit that tlio proposals looked well on paper. He had no idea that there would he a saving of 15 miles by the Levin-Groatford deviation. . '1 he work was likely to take some time if it were embarked upon, for it would involve the construction, of 35 miles of new track. A member of the deputation.: Tho Palmerston North scheme means the construction of miles of now railways. Mr Massey admitted that this was so The reason for the proposed change was the congestion at Palmerston, whore tho railway facilities would have to bo improved, ft was at present one of tlio worst centres in tho country. If the deviation was to be made, bo did not know how they would manage about Palmerston in tho meantime. Although a. vote might be taken for tlio work tliis year, the final decision would not be made until he had had an opportunity of going fnllv into the matter with the Minister of Public Works. —Dominion.