“VERY FAVORABLE”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18255, 25 November 1933, Page 3

“VERY FAVORABLE”

EAST COAST LINE PROGRESS OF INQUIRY i “Data which lias been compiled to date dealing with the revenue side : of the proposal makes the proposition >, look very favorable either for the Gov- ■ 'eminent or for private enterprise,” 1 ; remarked Mr. R. M. Chadwick, a mow- ' ber of the committee which was set up ’ ’ to investigate the scheme for the eom- ! pletion of the East Coast railway, when interviewed in Napier yesterday, l j “The actual reports in connection ' with the matter are as yet eonfidon* ' j Hal,” he continued, “ while the investigations of the revenue likely to be derived through the completion of the ! lino have not yet been completed. l j “Possibilities which have been con--1 sidered by the members of the com--1 mitteo have included the carriage of ' passengers over the route as well as goods,” said Mr. Chadwick. “Some , time ago the inquiry into the costs of completing the line was completed by ; Mr. R. Trevor Smith and his report .will be submitted to the.general mect- > ing of the committee when that is , held. j “At the present time, of course, j these figures cannot be divulged,” he added, “but Mr Smith’s estimates for the completion of the line are considerably less than'the amount which was named by the Railways Board .when that body reported on the same (subject. It is also estimated that - tiro work could be completed and the line put into operation in nine months. ’ ’ INCREASED DEMAND. “The present investigations have revealed the fact that there is considerably more demand for the cartage of materials than existed at the time when the Government carried out its investigation,” said the Mayor of Napier, Mr. C. 0. Morse, in regard to the same matter, j “Several areas of bush havo been (opened up since then,” he continued, |“and we have had assurance that if the railway is put through and completed so that transport by this •method will be available these areas | will be milled. On the other hand, (if the railway is not completed those {largo areas will be left in their present state.” By far the greatest work which would face those who undertook the completion of the line would be the completion of the viaduct at Moliaka. It is at present hoped that the .meeting of the full committee will be held on Friday next, though it is possible that; it will not be held until the following Monday, by which time all data in regard to the scheme will have been completed.