LEVIN-MARTON RAILWAY AGAIN MADE LIVE ISSUE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6919, 27 May 1929, Page 6

LEVIN-MARTON RAILWAY AGAIN MADE LIVE ISSUE

Shorter Trunk Route

FOXTON AND LEVIN GETTING BUSY Special to Times. LEVIN, May 25. The abandonment of the Palmerston railway deviation has raised hopes of future develop, ment in regard to the shortening of the main trunk route. With a view to bringing these possibilities prominently before the government the Levin and Foxton Chambers of Commerce intend to take early action as is indicated by the discussion at a meeting of the Levin Chamber. The Foxton Chamber of Commerce wrote suggesting that the Levin Chamber consider the matter of the LevinMarton deviation as the Foxton. Chamber believed the time was now opportune for mating a further move in this connection. Mr. F. G. Roe wrote regretting being unable to attend the meeting owing to an important engagement. Tho letter continued: "Mr. Field, M.P., for Otaki, stated in the House that this deviation would mean a two hours’ difference between Wellington, Wanganui, New Plymouth and Auckland when the Tawa Flat deviation is completed. With the completion of tho South Island main line, Sir Joseph Ward estimates a saving of 6A- hours betwoen Dunedin and Wellington. This would mean a total saving of 8J hours in the journey from Dunedin to .Auckland.’* Mr Roe urged that no opportunity should be lost in approaching Sir Joseph Ward, who seemed very favourably impressed with the proposed line some years ago. A plan of the route prepared by Mr. C. W. Foster, surveyor, was before the meeting, showing the manner in which tho proposed line cut across the base of the trianglo from Levin to Marton, the long sides being represented by the Levin-Palmerston, Palmcrston-Marton routes. The area that would be served by the deviation contained ten dairy factories with an output of 30,000 tons of butter annually, six flax mills, and some fine blocks of land that could be subdivided for close settlement. The president, Mr. C. S. Keodwell, thought tho time was not quite opportune for asking the government to make a decision, especially in view of tho other works in hand. When the Tawa Flat deviation was complete it would be the turn of the Levin-Marton route, but the Ohamtjcrs should see that the government was well acquainted with the advantages and saving of time possible by constructing the deviation. Mr. H. G. Kerslako said that when a party of members of Parliament went through to Poxton some years ago, it was surprising how few of them were acquainted with the advantages of tho route or even knew where it was located. A very convincing statement could be prepared of extracts from tho findings of various commissions, tho favourable report of the Public Works engineering survey, and the information now in possession of the Chamber. The advocates of the deviation could do good work by making certain that the new ministers and Parliament knew all about it.

The president stated that the Chamber had a mass of data relating to the matter. Sir Robert Stout’s commission found that thb deviation would bo necessary -when there were two Main Trunk expresses running. After further conversational discussion, it was resolved that the time was opportune to again take up propaganda work in regard to the Lovin-Marton deviation ,and that a conference be held with the Foxton Chamber to formulate plans for this purpose. FOXTON CHAMBER ACTIVE. The annual report of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce contains the following reference: The Levin-Marton railway link has again been under discussion and the Chamber is now endeavouring to arrange a conference between the Marton, Foxton and Levin Chambers in this connection. The Minister for Railways has already been written to and has replied that ho will refer tJho matter to the Minister for Public Works for consideration.