LEVIN-GREATFORD LINE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2764, 4 October 1923, Page 9

LEVIN-GREATFORD LINE.

"ECONOMICALLY IMPRACTICABLE." DEPARTMENTAL OPINION. Judging by the tone of replies given to a Poxton deputation yesterday by Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister for Railways) and Mr R. W. McVilly (General Manager) the proposed direct railway line from Levin to Greatford through Foxton is considered to be economically impracticable. In referring to this subject before the Minister, Mr J. K. Hornblow, president of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce, said that although they did not intend to press the claims of this route a.t present, they would remind the Minister that the matter had not been forgotten. The line if constructed, would constitute a connecting link between Marton and L'evin, and was regarded in the district as a national work. He did not wish to adopt a "dog-in-the-manger" policy as far as Paimerston North was concerned, though he felt that consideration should be given to the construction of the line. He asked the Minister to consider this when looking at the railway alterations at Paimerston North. ' Mr McVilly said the whole question of the line had been exhaustively gone into and had been found to be economically unsound from the standpoint of the Department. It would not pay the Department to construct the line, which would not recover in increased revenue the cost of construction.