NORTH ISLAND RAILWAYS.

Northern Advocate, 19 June 1920, Page 3

NORTH ISLAND RAILWAYS.

COMPLETION MAIN ROUTES URGED.

DEPUTATION FROM RAILWAYS

LEAGUE

(Special to "Advocate.")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

At the meeting of the Auckland Railways League yesterday afternoon, over whi"h Mr P. C. Chen, presided, the question of pushing on main lines to points of connection was earnestly discussed by members. The chairman, in the course of his 'introductory remarks, stressed the necessity for organisation to secure recognition of Northern needs. He urged that all local bodies and public institutions should be asked to assist towards the cost of sending a strong deputation to Wellington to urge upon members and Gover.i■mont the advisability of completing the Auckland-Whangarei-Kaikoho,

'Tarankai and East Coast sections with the least possible delay. He moved in that direction.

The motion was seconded by Mr R. Alexander, who stressed the point that if the.assistance of local bodies •was to be obtained the League must show a definite plan of action.

!Mr Goldfinch was strongly in favour of completing main lines first of all, and in this view other members concurred.

The resolution to ask for the appointment of delegates by local bodies was then carried.

NARROW GAUGES,

The chairman further raised the question of narrow-gauge railways. He did not think that the League should give its support to the construction of such lines, and pointed out that alterations would be inevitable later on. In Australia no fewer than 13,000 miles of line had to be altered to the universal gauge of 4ft & _ ins. The construction of *2ft. 6m. lines would be a retrograde step. He was not opposed to light lines, but he did oppose the narrow-gauge for mixed traffic. Good roads would servo the country better.

iMr Alexander cordially supported the chairman, and a motion was carried opposing the narrow gauge, but approving light 'lines. COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The following report was received from the Commissioner:—"There is not much fresh to repjrt this month, except that the work of the tunnel, slow at best, is being sh'L further retarded by want of cement. It is impossible to follow up closely with the concreting, and the result is much extra, time spent in timbering and a good deal of danger of subsidence in the unfinished .part, fi" supplies do not come soon it will* be very serious. The outside work is going on pretty well, but in some instances the lack of cement is causing delay. The trial survey of the 'connecting link with the Kaihu Valley railway (via Matakohe) is now well in band, having reached beyond Paparoa village. It would seem that the line will not be a difficult one to make if this route is selected."