RAILWAY LINK.

Northern Advocate, 28 May 1921, Page 2

RAILWAY LINK.

KAIPARA PROPOSITION IJNE to shelly beach 9 AUCKLAND, This Day. The support of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce to a movement for the construction of a railday line from the. North Auckland Main Trunk line to Kaipara Harbour by means of a railway line to Shells' Beach was solicited 'by Mr R. E. Hornblow, Mayor of Dargaville. \ In support of the scheme Mr Hornblow sa.d that it would prove of great advantage to the city, 'and would reduce the travelling time •between Auckland and Sydney by 48 hours. Two plans had been drawn up by the Public Works De paftment, one covering a distarfce of 101 miles, the cost of which would be £162,000, including £440,000 for a wharf at Shelly Beach, and £27,000 for. building etc. There were some 2000 acres of swamp land lying along the No. 1 route of the proposed line, which could be reclaimed and sold for £20 per acre. The money so derived, he suggested, would go a long way towards paying for the line. The other route covered about 12 i miles, but the approximate cost would be only £100,000. An offer had been received from a firm outside N»w ZesflandLto advance the money, and all that the people would be called upon to do would be to enter into bond s as security for this money, and meet bank charges. The president, Mr A. G. Lunn, said that the chamber was in sympathy with anything that would improve communication. Mr Hornblow should submit in writing all the facts concerning his proposal. Mr Hornblow agreed to the suggestion.