SOUTH OF AUCKLAND TRUNK LINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12817, 17 March 1905, Page 6

SOUTH OF AUCKLAND TRUNK LINE.

The following correspondence regarding the opening of the next station 011 the North of Auckland trunk line, called Mahurangi, has been handed to us for publication. It took three years' constant agitation by the settlers aiuftho Railway League to open the previous station to Ahuroa. The president of the Auckland North Island Main Trunk Railway League (Mr. G. W. S. Patterson', writing to Sir J. li. Ward on February 28, 1905, stated:—"l have the honour to inform you that by the desire of the council of this league I am to let you know that the bricking of the railway tunnel at Ahuroa is completed, and that the formation of the railway lino lieyond that to Mahurangi station site is finished, and that Jinnee there can be 110 reason for delaying the opening of the line for traffic to the said station, which, if done, will save a largo number of settlers from crossing the range with their goods and stock. This boon the league respectfully ask that you will bo good enough to grant as speedily as possible." * The Minister replied as follows: —"I am in receipt of your letter of the 28th ult., informing me oil behalf of your league that Ahuroa railway tunnel and the line beyond that to Mahurangi station site are now completed, and requesting that tho line may be declared open for traffic. The position is that tho line has not vet been handed over to the Railway by the Public Works Department, and until this is done 110 action can be taken by mo. I am, howover, referring your letter to the Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones, Minister for Public Works, for his information."