LINKING THE LINES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16605, 8 December 1924, Page 7

LINKING THE LINES.

MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

(Per Press Association.)

LEVIN, last night

The British Railway Commissioners, Sir Sam. Fay and Sir Vincent Raven,, held a. session in Levin yesterday to' hear evidence ou the railway linking Levin, Foxtun, and Martori as presented by the Railway League. The League submitted a statement, claiming that the link would bring the main trunk traffic along its natural course and would save sixteen miles in length and one hour in time on the Auckland and Taranaki routes; that it would reduce working expenses by £28,000 per annum, would cut out heavy grades and relieve congestion at Palmerston North, would divert much freight now going by motor to the railways, and would, so far as this section of the railway was concerned, obviate the duplication fast becoming necessary to overcome the congestion. Figures prepared by the League showed a surplus of £BO,OOO per annum, to the credit of the link, alter allowing 5 per cent, on the cost of construction.

Mr. R. W. Holmes, formerly Public Works Engincer-iii-Chicf, made a statement estimating the cost of the link line at £5:10.000. and proposing the construction of a marshalling yard at Palmerston North at a cost of £IOO,OOO, thereby doing away with the need for a deviation there costing £700.000.

After till the evidence had been heard, flic Commissioners left by car to traverse the route of the proposed link.