NORTHERN RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17275, 26 September 1919, Page 6

NORTHERN RAILWAYS.

QAKLEIGH-WAIOTIRA LINK.

COMPLETION REPORTED.

FIRST TRAIN OVER LINE,

An important section of the Northern railways has just been completed, namely, the line connecting Waiotira, on the routs of the North Island Main Trunk, with Oakleigh, on the Whangarei Harbour. The firet train carrying goods I from the latter point to Waiotira arrived j there on Wednesday evening.

The secretary to the Auckland Railways League, Mr. R. R. Hunt, received a telegram conveying this information yesterday from the league's commissioner at Waikiekie. The message stated that four trucks of goods were brought by the train, and that great progress was being made with the railway. Mr. 'Hunt stated that the Oak'eigh--Waiotira line would now be available for the development of the construction of the remainder of the link south to the Huarau Tunnel, and north to Kirikopnni and the Northern Wairoa. It remained to be seen whether the Minister for Public Works would close the Oakleigh gap and hand that portion of the line over to the Railway Department, go that the connection between Whangarei and Waiotira would be available for the settlers and the public. Mr. Hunt added that 700 men wera now at work on the Northern railway lines.