RAILWAY WORKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17632, 19 November 1920, Page 8

RAILWAY WORKS.

STRATFORD TO OKAHUKURA.

PROTEST AGAINST STOPPAGE

OPINION IN TARANAKI.

The decision of the Minister for Public Works in regard to work at the Taranaki end of the Stratford Main Trunk connection was the subject of correspondence read at a meeting of the Auckland Railways and Development League yesterday. The chairman of the league, Mr. P. E. Cheal, presided, and there were also present: Messrs. D. L. Nathan, T. Coatcs, F. Alexander, and S. N. Westney.

Telegrams were read from Mr. W. P. Kirkwood, chairman of the Stratford Kailway League, stating that he had not observed any mention in the press of the Auckland League protesting against the stoppage of work on the Stratford-Okahu-kura line at Tahora. He desired that the league should make a strong protest against the proposed stoppage. "We approve of work at the Ohura end," one message stated, '* but unless you are prepared to support ns in preventing work being stopped at Tahora, in my opinion you will undoubtedly bring about a combination of the whole of the Dominion outside Auckland, against Auckland." In a subsequent letter Mr. Kirkwood said the only hope for Auckland and Taranaki to get the line completed in a reasonable time was for -work to progress steadily at both ends. *

Mr. Cheal said that in reply to a deputation in September, the Minister for Public Works stated that the Taranaki side of the railway should not be left out in the cold. It -was decided that Mr. Cheal should reply to the Stratford League quoting extracts from the verbatim report of the deputation.