RAILWAY ROUTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16724, 16 August 1928, Page 7

RAILWAY ROUTE

DECISION SOON PUSHING NAPIER-WAIROA LINE A brief letter from the Minister of Public. Works, the Hon. K. S. Williams, which contained passages of 'important significance in connection with railway matters was read at yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the council of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce. It was indicated in the letter that while the Government intended pushing the work on the Napier-Wairoa section, there was little hope for the Taneutua connection in the near future. A decision as to which route is to_ lie adopted between Gisborne and Wairoa Is expected shortly, according to the Minister’s letter, which stated: — “ In reply to your letter of the 19th ultimo asking that the Government expedite the construction of the East Coastrailway from Napier to Taneatua, via Wairoa, Gisborne and Opotiki, I have to advise that a large sum of money will be contributed this year towards the construction of the line between Napier and Wairoa. “ Between Wairoa and Gisborne, as yofi know, the question of route lias not been definitely decided, and therefore no money can be expended on this section at present. 1 expect to have sur veys sufficiently far advanced to bo able to give a decision on this route shortly.

“ The question of continuing railway construction between Gisborne and Taneatua, via Opotiki, is still receiving the Government's careful consideration, but 1 may say that present indications are that it may not. lie possible to do anything in this direction in the near future.”

The letter was received without com merit.

Though not agreeing to support a petition for the extension of the railway from Taneatua to Opotiki, the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce at its previous meeting decided to urge for the completion of the iinf, between Napier and Taneatua. cia Wairoa, Gisborne and OpAiki. This decision wus placed before the Opotiki chamber, at whose initiative the subject was brought before the Gisborne chamber, and a reply read at yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the council of the Gisborne chamber regretted that support was not given to the petition, hut the Gisborne members were thanked for their resolution, which, it was hoped, would he of considerable assistance to the petitioners.