ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19455, 14 October 1937, Page 12

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

RAILWAY TO TARANAKI TURAKINA DEVIATION SAVING IN HAULAGE (Per Press Association.) WANGANUI, last night. The route of the coastal railway deviation, advocated by a Wanganui businessman, Mr. W. Draffin and recently placed before the Minister of Railways and the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce by the Wanganui Tourist and Development League, was inspected thoroughly by the general manager of railways, Mr. G. IT. Mackley and members of the commercial and engineering staff. Mr. Draffin’s scheme provides for the deviation of the Wellington-New Plymouth railway at Turakina. The lines would then be brought along the coast, and after crossing the Wanganui River in the vicinity of Putiki, would continue through napanui and Kai-iwi to Maxwell, where it would join the present line. If the proposal were carried out, it would be necessary to discontinue the construction work on the present Turakina-Okoia deviation, where £500,000 is to be spent. The scheme has been under consideration by Mr. Draifin tor sojiu months, and has been taken up by the Wanganui Tourist and Development League, which recently sought the support of the Chambers of Commerce in the Taranaki province. HALVING OF MILEAGE Mr. Drnflin claims that his deviation would mean halving the mileage between the two points where the new route would start and end, and in view of the shorter distance and the fact that two of the worst grades on the railway system would be cut out, it would mean a considerable saving in time and haulage costs between Wellington and New Plymouth. The party first of all inspected the country between Maxwell railway station, where the deviation will commence, and Okehu and Kai-iwi. From there the party proceeded to the land in the vicinity of Seafield and Belmont golf course, and then thoroughly inspected the terrain between Springvale and the Wanganui River. The party then motored to Lake Parau road and the Wanganui Valley near the coast in order to become acquainted with the nature of the country to be negotiated south of Wanganui. 1 The general manager and the chief engineer took a keen Interest in the route suggested by Mr. Draffin and his proposals to overcome grades and deep valleys. Where it was not possible to inspect the route by motor, the party walked so that fullest details of the country could : be appreciated.

No comment on the result of inspection was made by Mr. Mackley, but it is understood that a report on his observations will be made to the Railways Department and the Minister of Railways.