SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 5 December 1927, Page 3

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

NEW COASTAL ROUTE SHORTER AND CHEAPER i (By. .Telegraph—Special to "The Mail") I - CHIUSTCHUfIpH', 3rd Dec. In an editorial to-night's "Star" Kays: "A now coastal route for the South Island main trunk railway, more than six miles shorter than the shortest of the inland routes, and £1,170,000 cheaper, is advocated by the Minister of Public Works. It is a very intriguing suggestion, as a study of the map will indicate that the present line is laid as far as Parnassus from the south end and as far as Wharanui from'the Pict'on end. This main trunk route should have been completed years ago, in fact, it was the only line that Sir Sam Fay, an eminent English expert, recommended for completion. I.t lias been held iip ostensibly because of the heavy cost of laying it through the very hilly country of the inland- 1 routes, but with a very much cheaper route in prospect, Canterbury and Marlborough should concentrate on an agitation for the completion of tile' South Island trunk line. In the opinion of many people it is even more important than the Went Coast line, and ought t 0 have been completed first. Of course, when the West Coast line was started', coal was of prime importance to shipping and the connection had a high strategetic value. The West Coast line has justified itself, but it cannot be said that a main trunk line is not of equal strategic value to-day. Actually there is far more trade" to be got out' of Marlborough than out Of the West Coast, and as the (rap in this line from Parnassus to Wharanui is the only portion of the main trunk line in New Zealand uncompleted, the time is opportune for an agitation for its completion."