RAILWAY SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 15

RAILWAY SCHEME

SOUTH ISLAND LINE MINISTER EXAMINES COSTS INITIAL OUTLAY OF £1,000,000 Figures given by the Minister of Public Works, tbe Hon. R. Semple, indicate that it will take probably all of £1.000,000 to meet the cost of completing the northern section of the South Island Main Trunk railway, states the Christcliurch Press, This sum includes the huge additional cost which will have to be met to put the completed portion in order again after four years' idleness. The Minister, replying to a deputation at Seddon, which emphasise_d the need for a railway link between Marlborough and Canterbury, said that one of the big difficulties to be met if it was decided to go on with the scheme was the cost of bringing th» line to the condition it was in when work was suspended in 1931. There were 47 miles of line to be completed between Wharanui and the Kahutara River. To build it the construction cost alone would absorb £937,078. Another £SOOO would be required to clear tbe old formation of weeds, and sand drifts. To reassejpble the plant units which were sold or transferred since the closing of the line would take £6OOO. The provision of accommodation for workers, stores, garages and the replacement of these units sold or transferred would take £12,000. The replacement of sleepers, rails and piles would cost £IO,OOO and clearing slips and repairing wash-outs £3OOO. These items totalled £36,000. If this sum were added to the amount required to complete construction it would be seen that the total amounted to nearly £1,000,000. Mr. Semple said a pronouncement would be made very shortly by the Cabinet about the line.. He could not commit the Cabinet; but he would submit his report, and the Cabinet would make the decision.