THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12145, 19 April 1907, Page 4

THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

It seems to be an accepted fact now^that the Main Trunk Line will be conrfjeted well within the time mentioned by'; the Minister for Public Works and Railways, tlio Hon. W. Hall-Jones. The Auckland people are particularly anxious that <no effort should be spared to establish through connection between the Northern capital and the Empire City by the end of 1908, and they deputed a Commission' to visit the line. The Commission found^ as Mr Bignell reported to us about a fortnight ago, that the work was progressing * splendidly, and the most confident opinion is expressed all round that it will be comparatively easy to finish right through by the end of 1908. The Waimarino correspondent of the New Zealand Herald, writing a few days ago to the Auckland journal, says : It is almost incredible that any person who 'has been acquainted with the progress of the North Island Main Trunk line for the past year or two should express the opinion that it is "absolutely impossible for the line to be completed by the end of 1908." To the close observer, especially when resident in the district, the anticipated completion of the line within the time stipulated by the Hon. W. Hall-Jones has become not merely possible, but probable. The Christchurch gentleman who recently travelled over the Main Trunk line, and -'whose opinions have been given to the Preas and commented upon by various newspapers, could not possibly have made a close personal inspection of the work in hand along the line. The coming winter caflhofc hinder the progress of the work to any great extent, tlie Public Works Department being now practically independent of roads that are likely to become bad, as the ballast engine will convey railway materials to Ohakuue on the south, and a splendid road haa been made to Horopito from the north. The Christchurch c-itic's estimate of three years lor the completion of the line is (apart from unforeseen circumstances) wide of the mark. When the Minister for Public Works had travelled over the route of the line, about three and a half months ago, he reiterated his previous statement as to time. If the past year's rate of progress, is maintained, the long-looked-for railway connection between Auckland and Wellington will be established before the end of 1908.