WANGANUI-RAETIHI RAILWAY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18019, 6 November 1920, Page 4

WANGANUI-RAETIHI RAILWAY.

THE NEED FOR A SURVEY. PROMISE BY MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS. (By Telegraph.) (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Nov. 5. When the Railways Authorisation Bill was introduced, advantage was taken of the opportunity by Wanganui district members to press for a survey of the proposed WanganuiRaetihi line. Mr. Veitch said the feeling in the district was that a trial survey had been delayed for-too long. Mr. Glenn said the line would cut off about 120 miles of railway and would be of great importance to the whole country north of Wanganui. The line would travel through good sheep country with a good proportion of milling timber. Reasons for a survey were also advanced by Mr. Smith (Waimarino). The Minister for Public Works (Hon. Coates) said he quite realised that as far as Wanganui district was concerned the work was most urgent, and he knew a promise ' had been made, though he did not remember its exact terms. When engineers were available he would be very glad to have a trial survey made. He thought a flying survey would be necessary first, but he did not want to be misunderstood. They had too many lines in hand already, and unti Isome of them were out of the way he did not waift to take on any more. The information to be obtained by a survey would, however, be valuable to the Department, and when engineers could be'hspatvd without interfering with work already in hand he would have the survey undertaken.