NEW RAIL LINK

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20409, 28 January 1938, Page 9

NEW RAIL LINK

PAEROA TO POKENO minister turns sod IMPORTANCE TO DISTRICT (Special to Times.) PAEROA, Thursday In brilliantly fine weather the ceremony of turning the first sod of the Paeroa-Pokeno railway was performed by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, to-day, In the presence of representatives of both Houses of Parliament, Government officials, county, municipal and commercial delegates, and an enthusiastic crowd of more than 2000 people. It was a gala day in Paeroa, and evidence of the importance of the new link was the presence of representatives from Auckland, the Hauraki Plains, and the Bay of Plenty. At the request of the Mayor of Paeroa, Mr W. Marshall, the majority of the business people observed a half-holi-day. A Long Agitation “ The building of this railway line will be another milestone in the development of transport in this country,” the Minister said in a brief address before the ceremony. " Agitation for the construction of this railway commenced over 33 years ago. 44 Construction of the Paeroa-Pokeno railway has been a live question for the past 33 years, and in this connection the late Mr H. Poland, M.P. for Ohinsfnuri, should not be overlooked,” continued Mr Semple. “We must associate his mind with this line not only to-day, but always. “ The new line, which will be 42 miles 69 chains In length, will provide an alternative and shorter railway connection between Auckland ad Paeroa, Thames, Waihi, and the Bay of Plenty, and the distance by this route from stations between Auckland and Paeroa will be 45 miles 09 chains less than by the present railway, via Frankton Junction. This saving of distance will be of immense benefit to the Bay of Plenty, Waihi, Thames and Paeroa districts, and the railway should also stimulate settlement on the Hauraki Plains, through which it will pass. The line will be specially beneficial to farmers owing to the shorter distance which fat stock will have to be railed to the market at Westfield and farm produce to Auckland. To Cost 1,160,000 “ The Government is of opinion that the costruction of this line is an essential railway connection and a most useful work, which will provide immediate employment for approximately 400 men. We are going to use modern methods and powerful machines, and will transfer the laborious work from the shoulders of men to the cranks of machines. The use of such machinery is justifiable, too, from the point of speed and cost.” “ The estimated cost of the work to be carried out by the Public Works Department by utilising a reasonable amount of machinery is £975,355. To this must be added the sum of £173,450, which is the estimated capital cost of the work which will have to be done by the Railway Department. The total estimated cost of the construction of the line and connections at both ends may, therefore, be estimated at £1,150,000. lam satisfied that this railway line will be of tremendous benefit to all concerned.” The Minister said that the Government had not gone into the proposal without examining the economic aspect. He congratulated all concerned with getting the long-cherished dream of a link between Paeroa and Pokeno translated into an active beginning. He expressed the hope that the people would make good use of the facilities provided for them. Speeches were also made by Mr W. Marshall. Mayor of Paeroa, Mr J. Thorn, M.P. for Thames, Mr G. R. Petrie", M.P. for Hauraki; Mr G. 11. Burnett, M.P. for Tauranga; Mr J. N. Massey, chairman of the Franklin County Council; and Mr W. R. Fee, president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. A miniature spade suitably inscribed was presented to Mr Semple by Mr Marshall as a souvenir of the occasion.