GISBORNE RAILWAY ROUTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10107, 20 March 1911, Page 3

GISBORNE RAILWAY ROUTE.

[Pioit Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 20. The Hon It. M'Kenzie was interviewed to-dav bv a deputation representing the East' Coast Railway League, regarding the route of the- Gisborne railway line southwards. Tho deputation strongly urged the advantages ot the route to Napier via Hangaroa, in preference to that via Mangapoikl. The Mayor in introducing the deputation, said, that members of it had come from forty to fifty miles to see the Minister. Mr Morice said that they desired that all the routes should be investigated before a decision was made. The route thev advocated was along the Hangaroa River and up the Aroha stream, across a low saddle and through Ngatapu.He said that the- route would drain 100,000 to 300,000 acres, while the Mangapoikl route would only tap about 80,000 acres. Tho Minister" said the League's information as to what the engineers had reported was erroneous. He produced the report of the engineer-in-chief, showing that the Hangaroa line was nine miles longer, and would cost £9OOO or £IO,OOO per mile. The deputation contended that tho engineer had not seen tho saddle on the Aroha section of their suggested route. As an alternative the deputation suggested a junction 'out of the GisborneMotu line, at Waihokau, this saving ten miles on the Gisborne-Auckland line. Tho Minister said that if the deputation could show him such a saving, he was prepared to consider it. The Minister complained that some of .the information that had been circulated was erroneous. After discussion, it was arranged that the deputation should meet the Minister again on Wednesday. He intimated his willingness to at once send the engineer-in-chief to inspect any of the routes. The deputation asked that the resident engineer should first make a flying survey of the routes in preference to a casual inspection. Tho Minister has left for Tolcomaru Bay,