DARGAVILLE LINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22464, 7 July 1936, Page 10

DARGAVILLE LINE

I'LEA FOE COMI'LETION

REQUESTS TO MINISTER

CONSIDERATION PROMISED

[BY TELEGRAPH —STECIAL REPORTER] DARGAVILLE, Monday Arguments in favour of tho completion of tho Dargaville railway were submitted to the Minister of Public Works, tho Hon. R. Semple, at Dargavillo to-nigljt. Tho lit. Hon. J. G. Coates, member of Parliament for Kaipara, in introducing a deputation from tho Dargaville Chamber of Cominerco, said that if the lino was to bo completed to the railway standard the cost, lie believed, would bo £'lo,ooo. It could be built to the standard of tho Kaihu lino for very much less, but, in his opinion, it should be finished to take heavy traffic right to Dargaville.

The line would givo life to many thousands of acres that could not now be economically developed, said Mr. Coates. He could not see any valid reason why it should not bo completed. The Government had decided that certain lines should be finished, and ho knew of none that could be so fully justified. He would be glad to show Mr. Semple over tho ground, explain tho situation quite impartially and leave him to form his own judgment The chairman of the Hobson County. Mr. V. Trounson, and tho Mayor of Dargaville, Mr. A. Jones, also sspoke in favour of tho lino. Alternative Suggestion Tho president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. C. L. Bagnall, suggested that it was for tho Minister to advance reasons why tho line should not be built. However, if the Minister decided against tho line, ho thought tho Government should give the farmers of tho district an extra ponny on their guaranteed price, as they would bo handicapped by not having modern facilities enjoyed by other districts "1 would suggest that you bring running shoes to this district, put them on the railway engineers, and get tho line put through without delay," added Mr. Bagnall. "Will the farmers uso tho line if it is built?" asked Mr. Semple. "It is no use spending money on tho work if we aro to sec the farmers driving their stock past while the lines rust. 1 agree that you cannot look at the line from a paying point of view. You do not build a road because it is going to pay, but because it is going to give service."

The Minister added that the developmental value of the railway could not be estimated in money. They had to look at the indirect benefit to the individual and the nation. The State had spent £441,000 on tho lino and the interest bill amounted to £20,000 a year. Since the lino was stopped they had paid £120,000 in interest on the loau raised to do the job. Report to be Obtained

Was it going to pay them to let that £440,000 waste and pay £20,000 a year, or should they spend another £50,000 and run the service? Mr. Semple asked. Ho had to weigh that up. He was not going to commit himself. He was just summing up the position, as Cabinet had to make the decision, but it would no doubt take a good deal of notice of his recommendation.

"I will get an up-to-date report from my engineers and will look over the ground," said Mr. Semple. "I will then go back to Wellington, put a wet towel round my head and think about it. i will keep' those figures in mind." At the request of the Minister the Chamber of Commerce undertook to furnish data showing the possibilities of tho line.