“LITTLE HOPE”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 265, 8 November 1937, Page 6

“LITTLE HOPE”

COASTAL DEVIATE

IR. W. DRAFFIN’S SCHEME RAILWAY MINISTER’S STATEMENT “'Vhout consulting my colleagu, t j think I can say that there nttle hope of Mr Draffin's I scheme being carried out,” said the Mi( s ter of Railways, the Hon. D. I. Sullivan, to a “Chronicle” rep-ter on Saturday when approachc regarding the possibilities of W. Draffin’s alternative to tl, present TurakinaOkoia deviai on being adopted by the Governnint. The Minister-,aid that he had had a report on the roposal and that day had carried out ,y air his promised inspection of the -oute. A report on the undertaking vould be submittal to Cabinet. Accompanied by !r G. H. Mackl general manager of<hc Railways Department, the Mimter travelled to Wanganui in the Veilington Aero Club's Waco cabin 'pane, which wa» piloted by Mr J. R.wnsley, pilotinstructor to the club On the journey fron Wellington, the Minister took the ipportunity o: making an aerial insp'ction of th< southern portion of dr Draffins coastal route between lirakina and the Wanganui River, before landing, he was flown over he country between Wanganui and Maxwell through which the devirtion would be taken. Recently the whole of the proposed route of the deflation was inspected by car and on toot by Mr Mackley. who would be in a position to acquaint the Minister wth the nature of the country whici he was viewing. Mr W. Draftln's propose! coastal railway deviation provides for the cessation of work on the present undertaking between Turakina and Okoia and the construction of the line from Turakina along the flatter areas nearer the coast. From Wanganui the line would be taken to Maxwell through the Rapanui district whic'k it is claimed, would provide a beti grade than the present line through Brunswick. Mr Draflin has stated that his deviation would mean a considerable annual saving in haulage costs, would place Wanganui on a main line and also would eliminate 20 or more dangerous level crossings. The Wanganui Chamber of Commerce supported the proposal to the extent that a thorough investigation should be carried out and, if it were shown that the project was sound, would support it until such time as the undertaking became an accomplished fact.

The deviation proposal has been taken up seriously by the Wanganut Tourist and Development League, which recently secured support from the Chambers of Commerce of the Taranaki province, which would benefit just as much as Wanganui if a more speedy service could be provided. WILL PURSUE EFFORTS TOURIST LEAGUE’S INTENTION CONFIDENCE IN THE SCHEMT. STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT "The executive of the league is whole-heartedly behind Mr Draffin and will continue to press for the adoption of his coastal deviation,’’ said Mr W. J. Gibson Hughes, president of the Wanganui Tourist and Development League, when the reply of tne Minister of Railways was referred to him. “The matter will not he permitted to drop, but will be pursued vigorously,” he added. Mr Gibson Hughes said that the .league had every confidence in Mr Draffin's coastal route and the benefits to be received if it were carried out. The support which had been accorded the proposal already was sufficient to make it apparent that the deviation was wanted. He was not prepared to make any further comment until he had received a report from the Minister or the Railways Department.