NORTHERN RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17652, 13 December 1920, Page 4

NORTHERN RAILWAY.

WORK OF COMMISSION.

FURTHER EVIDENCE HEARD.

TOUR NEARLY COMPLETED.

[BT TELEGRAPH. —OWN- .CORRESPONDENT.]

KAWAKAWA. Saturday

The Railway Commission left Kaitaia on Thursday, and travelled to Mangonui. stopping at Peria and Victoria Valley to hear deputations of local residents. The latter generally advocated a railway coming by way of Mangamuka into Kaitaia. The commission sat at Mangonui in the evening, when evidence was g'ven by Mr. Alfred Mountfort. civil engineer, on the advantages of the Mangamuka to Victoria Valley route. Until that section was completed, he said, the line would not earn axle grease. He reported to this effect after a careful examination of the routes at the request of the Chamber of Commerce. He supported the Public Works Department view that the best route was through Shackelton's Pass and on to Taipa, on Mangonui Bay*

Mr. Ernest J. Millson considered Mangonui the natural sea terminus of the North Auckland line. Mr. Allen Bell, of Kaitaia, urged the conroletion of the Main Trunk line to Whangaroa, which must be the deep-sea port for the northern lands, although Mangonui was a very useful harbour. Ultimately the railway would go to North Cape from Rangihua Junction via Mangamuka, Victoria Valley, Kaitaia, and Awanui. The district, would return splendid returns on the outlay. Mangamuka should be the present objective, as good roads could reticulate from that centre. Eventually all the nothern ports must be connected with the railway system, and the cry of East versus West should be dropped, their interests being identical.

Mr. Wrathall, of Mangonui, endorsed the views of many of the previous witnesses that the Main Trunk from Te Tio northwards should pass through Mangamuka, Peria, Oruru, to Mangonui, adjoining which port were over 25,000 acres of Crown lands fit for settlement. Some was already cut up. On Friday the commission travelled to Kawakawa. taking evidence at Whangaroa Huring a short stay there. They made a launch trip round the harbour with several local representatives, and greatly appreciated its scenic beauties. Witnesses at Whangaroa were content to leave the claims of the harbour as a future terminal port for the railway to the unbiassed judgment of the commissioners. Evidence will be taken at Kawakawa to-day, and perhaps Russell, and the commission wfl return to Whanearei. completing its Northern tour at Auckland about Tuesday. The members of the commission are now beginning to understand the term "the roadless north."