POKENO-PAEROA LINE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 655, 6 May 1929, Page 11

POKENO-PAEROA LINE

STAFF AT HAND TO START WORK MR. SAMUEL URGES ADVANTAGES (From Our Resident Reporter) "WELLINGTON, To-day. Urging the advantages of the Pae-roa-Pokeno railway, Mr. A. M. Samuel. M.P., met the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward. Mr. Samuel pointed out that owing to the approaching early completion of the Waihou and Ohinemuri River improvement schemes, a lot of public works officials and men -would soon have to find work elsewhere. He submitted that they could be employed on the proposed railway works. The whole of the organisation, staff, equipment and offices were nearly on the spot, and it only remained to transfer them to the new work. The proposal involved the laying of about 40 miles of rails, the object being to link up the Auckland main trunk and East Coast services, said Mr. Samuel. He submitted that the connection would avoid about 44 miles of dead haulage, cut off a "wide detour and effect a saving of two hours or more in transport. Moreover, it would result in the avoidance of congestion which now takes place at Frankton and Morrinsville. Mr. Samuel said that all the Auckland members of Parliament were favourable to the project. Another factor which was worthy of the greatest consideration was the number of unemployed. An early commencement of the work suggested would provide a solution of that problem and save the Government a good deal of trouble. The Prime Minif.ter said he would go into the matter with his colleagues and reply at as early a date as possible.