VISION OF FUTURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26958, 18 December 1948, Page 9

VISION OF FUTURE

DEVELOPMENT OF AUCKLAND £40,000,000 PLAN PROPOSED PA AUCKLAND, Dec. 17. Finality has been reached on the master plan for the development of railways and public works for the Auckland district, popularly known as the “ 10-year plan.” The Minister of Works, Mr Semple, announced this after his arrival from Wellington. The plan will be submitted to Cabinet on January 12. and if approved, will be brought to Auckland by Mr Semple and explained to a conference of local bodies. “ This plan for Auckland is a mighty big job,” Mr Semple said. “It is not a 10-year plan, but a 100-year plan. With the rapid increase in population it is essential that we look far into the future to make sure we are right.” Asked to comment on the proposed electrification of the main trunk railway system and Auckland suburban lines, Mr Semple said this was an essential part of the whole scheme. The Government was being advised by some of the most capable engineers in the British Commonwealth, who were now in the Dominion preparing recommendations on the best system to adopt. “We want to ensure that we have the best system in the world,” the Minister added. In July last Mr Semple estimated the cost of the proposed Auckland works in the 10-year plan as follows: Metropolitan, £8,00,000; Government, £14,000,000; housing, £14,000,000; minor, £4,000,000.