NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

West Coast Times, 18 March 1910, Page 1

NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

THE BATTLE AS TO THE ROUTE,

MR MANDER REPLIES TO HON. R

M'KENZIE,

AUCKLAND March 14.

In connection with the Hon. R. M'Kenzio’s statement regarding the North Auckland Railway, Mr F. Marnier, M.P. for Marsden, who is a strong advocate of the eastern route, had something to say to a reporter to-day. “The Minister for Public Works has endeavoured to show that the railway will be more beneficial if taken to the westward,” said Mr Marnier. “This contention is absolutely wrong. If the line went via Pukekaroro to Maungaturoto, as laid out by the engineers, and thence from Rogers (at Wairiri) on to M'Carroll’s, it would not only meet the requirements of the settlers on. the

eastern side, but also satisfy the requirements of those on the western

side equally as well. The Hon. Mr M'Kenzie has said a lot about the desirability of running the line eastward ti the Bickerton Estate, but only 50 settlers would derive any actual benefit at the point. Likewise, the extension eastward over the original route advocated by the Government engineers will save the cost of a most expensive bridge over the Otainatoa River, and will enable the Government to avoid some of the worst possible country for railway construction purposes. Taken tr the east, the route will be easy of access, and much more economical, and will tap one of the finest ballast pits in the north, which, besides being useful for ballast purposes, will also provide settlers with much-needed road metal. “The Minister for Public Works asserts that the eastern route runs over

precipitous country, and would -serve but few people. Admittedly for about two miles north of Pukekaroro there is a short stretch of rough country, but from an engineering point of view, it is not at all formidable compared with some of the propositions the engineers were called upon to face in constructing the Main Trunk line between Wellington and Auckland. The engineers certainly prefer the eastern route, and consider there is nothing so difficult to negotiate on the eastern route as the country near Bickcrstaffe, on the western side. Mr Stewart stated before the Petitions Committee in Wellington last session that it would bo impossible to accurately estimate the cost of put-

ting a line through the Bickerstaffo section, ami that statement was .supported by Mr Holmes. As to the question of which route will serve the greater number of people, there are quite 1800 who have settled on the eastern side, expecting that the railway would p;o via Mangawai, Uakaru, Kaiwaka,

Briuderwyn, Manngatnroto, and Waipn, whieh latter place alone has a population. of about 5)00, and will be practically cut off from all communication if the railway does not go that way, seeing that it has a bar harbour that is almost unworkable.”

Asked what reply lie could make to the Minister’s statement that the eastern route will run through 20 to 25 miles of mountain ranges, Mr Mander replied that there is a range of hills running northward from Pukekaroro, a large portion of which is already settled, and should the line go that wav there is no doubt the country

thereabouts will be more quickly settled later on. At present much of the land is still reserved and not open for settlement. If the line goes via Hugers as suggested, it will pass good country all the way, and at this point would join the proposed western line, so that the Minister’s argument in Mr Marnier’.? opinion is difficult to understand. Speaking of the possibility of feeding the line from the. Wairoa side if the line crosses below Tangiteroria, the member for Marsden said that more would he lost than gained by running the railway close to the Wairoa River. Last year the imports into the. Wairoa by boat ran into £l-100. Tins will not help to feed the railway. Both sides want the opportunity to reach the railway. “ If the engineers had been left alone

I feel sure that the best interests of the country would have been served,” said Mr Mander.” If the Minister had followed the recommendation of the Petitions Committee, a Royal Commission could have been set up and reported to the (Joverninent within a mon th or two. liy pushing the line on towards Hickerstaif it looks as though the Minister is determined to carry the line westward. The Minister for Public Works, in the course of his remarks last Saturday, gave the impression that the whole question is to he submitted to a Royal Commission at once. If that is done there will he general satisfaction, but if the line is pushed on to M ‘Carroll’s Cap before setting up a commission there will be nothing hnt di'satislaction. ’flu 1 Minister has said something about waste of time and throwing the men out of work, but it would surely have been better to partin' men for doing nothing than to waste money on a route that will increase the cost of freights on the people for all time,”