LOOP LINE

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160733, 20 August 1920, Page 7

LOOP LINE

MAETON-LEVIN PROPOSAL. A special meeting of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce was hold last night to discuss the proposed construction of a loop lino from Marton to Levin, to shorten the railway journey from Auckland to Wellington. Mr P. Higginbottom presided, and expressed Ij is regret that the attendance was not larger. In explaining the objects of the Railway League which is promoting the project, Mr J. Walker said that the reason the League was formed was be-, cause it vms understood that the Bailway Department intended to spend a large sum of money in shifting the Palmerston North station and in duplicating the lino between Longburn and Terrace End. This was to relieve the congestion at the Palmerston North station. At a meeting of leprescntatives of local authorities at Sandon it was decided to push on with the LevinMarton proposal, holding' that such a project would not cost as much as the Palmerston North proposal, and that it. would lie of greater advantage to' -feW travelling public. The line would cut off 16 miles between Marton and Wellington, and would run through ehsy country as compared with the severe grades and sharp curves on the existing line. It was contended that passengers and goods could be transported quicker and cheaper than at present by the use of the loop line. The League had a promise from the Government not - to go the line until the Minister and officials had inspected the proposed route. This inspection would take place on September 25th, after which the League would meet the Ministerial party at Marton. The delegates had just returned from a visit to Taranaki, and had met with a great measure of support. Mr McManaway said the scheme was not a new one; it had been discussed for many years. He contended that the proposal would relieve the present congestion at PalmeAton North, and would provide a quicker route between A.ucHaud and Wellington. The League asked whether it was not in the interests of the Dominion to shorten the distance by 1G miles for practically the same cost as the* proposed work at Palmerston North. The League did not want this proposal considered from a parochial point of view, but from a national standpoint. Mr Anderson wanted to know what effect the proposal was likely to have oivthe'Tocal harbour from a distribution pohit of- view. He thought that the loop-line would be an advantage to the port, as it-would open up a larger area of territory. The Chairman ■ said that there liad been some discussion as to whether the putting of Eoxton on the main lino would mean the" development of that port to the detriment of Wanganui. Personally, he considered that the capital cost of developing the port of Foxton would bo so great that it need not , bo feared as a competitor to, Wanganui. Tiie meeting decided to bring the proposal forward for discussion at the next general meeting of the Chamber.