RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22864, 20 October 1937, Page 16

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

TANEATUA TO OPOTIKI PAEROA-POKENO LINK FIRST [by TELEGRAPH OWN correspondent] OPOTIKI, Tnesday Disappointment has been felt in the Opotiki district that preference is apparently being given to the construction of tho Pacroa-Pokeno railway link* over the extension of the East Coast railway from Taneatua to Opotiki, in view of tho definite promise made by the Primo Minister, Mr. Savage, that tho lino would bo extended to Opotiki, when other more important lines had been completed. Although it was felt in Opotiki that the extension from Taneatua should have had priority over tho Pokeno connection, it has always been recognised that to make a success of the line over tho whole length tho PaeroaPokeno link had to come. Even without the extension from Taneatua, the Opotiki district, which is already making good use of tho Bay line, will benefit greatly by the construction of the Pokeno link, One of the chief benefits will be that mails which leave Auckland in the mornings will arrive in ample time to be sorted the samo night, enabling business men to forward replies by tho following morning's mail.