MARSDEN POINT RAILWAY.

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1916, Page 2

MARSDEN POINT RAILWAY.

COUNTY COUNCIL'S COMMENDA-

TION,

The following letter, which .inter-, prets itself, has been!, despatched by the "engineer of the Whangarei County Council to the Minister of Public Works:—Sir, I hav e the. honour by direction of the Whangarei County Council to submit for your consideration' a proposal" to connect Maredeh Point- oh the Whangarg? Harbour with the Waipu Branch RaLway now authorised. Tlje accompanying sketch plan "shQ'WB the approximate position ol the proposed work together wich the main features relative to the scheme. You will notice the great depth of water (84ft at low tidej. at the suggested terminus which is perhaps equal to the best anchorage for large vessels to be found . in the Dominion. Already ocean ' liners call there to load at the freezing works which were recenty erected by the Whangarei Freezing Company Proprietary Limited. These works you may see by plan are situated opposite Marsden Point. Some of the advantages the scheme would be to the Northern districts are as follows:—

Ist. That Northern farmers' produce such as meat, ; woql,:-butter, cheese, etc., would, be stored„grjaded and shipped 'there for the 'overseas-' markets' thus effecting a saving as compared to the .present systew : #cqnsigning these commodities via the port, of Auckland where" every handling means -extra charges. ' .' ■■■.-;■.■'

. 2nd. all fat Stock how driven to the Whangarei Heads Freezing Works—much to the detriment of the be railed to Marsden Point and lightered acrciss to the works, The Freezing Company have given an assurance on this point -

" 3rd. That a deep water port would be provided for the Dominion Portland Cement Company who are erecting what will be th e largest cement mill in Australasia. These works being situated right on the railway now under -construction and within 14 mi es of Marsden Point, [ -

4th. That the proposed railway terminus would afford undoubtedly the best slt e for- the works of the Northern Co-' perative Freezing Company which !s in course of formation.

och. That the deep water' wharfage and railway connection would facilitate the proposal to hav§ Whangarei made a Port of Entry. , [ 6th. That a fast "daylight steam boat gervlce for passengers and mails, etc., could be established between Marsden Point and Auckland, connecting with a fast train to Whangarei.

The cost of the proposed connection with the exception of the wharf would be very small being only 5% miles over light flat formation, while the section of the line from Oakleigh to Marsden Point would perhaps b e the best paying in the Dominion. My Council realises that no money will be available for the work until after the war but in the meantime they would be glad if you would give the matter your kind attention- and have it reported upon.