NORTH AUCKLAND MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Northern Advocate, 11 April 1911, Page 5

NORTH AUCKLAND MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

CUMMISSiOfI SITS IX WHAIVGAKEI.

Advocates of the Eastern Connection.

There were a good number of interested persons in the local Court this morning, when the Royal Commission commenced its Whangarei session at 11 a.m., Mr V. H. Reed, M.P.,

presiding.

The minutes of the initial meeting

were read and confirmed without comment. It was decided that while in Whangarei the Commission's hours of sitting should be from 11 a.m.' to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. until 4.30 p.m.

Prior to giving his evidence, Mr Carruth asked whether the Commission could give any definite information as to their proposed itinerary, as it would greatly facilitate the collecting of evidence.

The chairman responded, that so far no definite arrangements had been made after the Commission had-sat in Dargaville, and expressed his opinion that their movements might be somewhat guided by any invitations which might be extended to them.

Mr Carruth, thereupon, on behalf of the people of Maungakaramea, invited the Commission to visit the vicinity of McCarroll's Gap and to examine the locality from the summit of Purakaka, from which a splendid view of the surrounding country could be obtained.

It was decidea that the Commission should adjourn at midday and then decide upon their itinerary a little further.

Mr Carruth then commenced his evidence, which was on similar lines to that which he put forward at the recent conference of local bodies. He urged the construction of the section between Whangarei and McCarroll's Gap, thus utilising the present constructed line in obtaining without loss of time, access by railway from Kaikohe to Auckland. That line, he believed, would be extended within five years towards the waters of the Hokianga, and he was confident that the connecting of Whangarei with the main trunk would be a paying proposition, as the present WhangareiKawakawa section was one of the most remunerative in the colony and there would be more settlement yet to augment it. Although his interests were in favor of the link, yet he did not feel that he could say that the central should be stopped, as it would, he believed, provide the shortest route. Mr Carruth also vented his electric tram suggestion for the Mangakahia scheme, placing his ideas fairly fully before the Commission.

In answer to Mr Coom, Mr Carruth said'that he was doubtful whether coal would be carried over the proposed line, but merchandise and passengers, he believed, would.

Mr Stallworthy inquired from witness what the freight and passenger fares were between Whangarei and Auckland by water, and then asked whether it would be possible for a train to compete with a freight of 7s 6d per ton and a passenger fare of 22s 6d return, saloon.

Mr Carruth replied that he did not know, and in reply to-further questions responded that he did not know what it cost per ton for the Maungakaramea people to obtain their goods from Auckland, nor that, in connection with his proposed electric scheme, the Government had been talking of electrifying the whole of the Nor the vn lines. Mr Carruth maintained that even if it were possible that in the near future electric trams would be running into the surrounding districts, his proposed route to the Maungakaramea would he the best one, and would not have to compete against others.

' Witness did not know exactly what extra mileage there would be between McCarroll's Gap and Kaikohe by the utilisation of the present Whangarei line.

Mr Reed pointed out that it would cost 6s more second-class fare by train to Auckland than it would by boat, and little or no saving in time would be effected.

Mr Carruth was surprised to hear from Mr Reed that there were 20,000 people in the Bay of Islands electorate who would be supporting the railway and would desire the shortest route possible.

In conclusion, Mr Carruth pointed out that there were many people from the Bay of Islands district who came by train as far as they could and left for Auckland from Whangarei, preferring to cut down the sea trip rather than go round Cape Brett. At this stage tho Commission adjourned until 2 p.m.