THE NORTH AUCKLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 8, 24 February 1909, Page 10

THE NORTH AUCKLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE.

WHICH SHALL BE THE ROUTE? Now that the Alain Trunk line South of Auckland has been completed, and lias been finally taken over by the Railway Department, the Public Works Department is turning its attention to the Northern end of the line with renewed vigour. For many years the line has been open to Helensville, and gradually the rails have advanced northwards till now they reach Wellsford, a spot sixtynine miles norTii"iif Auckland city. The ceremony of opening this section was performed last week by the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. R. McKenzie, who has been travelling all over the country, and familiarising himself with the lay of the land. There is some difference of opinion as to the route the line should now take, and rival deputations have been waiting on the Minister all along the line. Our special correspondent, who is travelling with the Minister, explains the position concisely. Writing from Maungaturoto, he says the difference so far had been parochial. He continues: “In an address at that township the Minister made it patent that the difference of opinion up to that point was merely a flea bite compared with the great interests involved beyond McCarroll’s gap; therefore, in order to obtain the concise position of affairs, 1 have made inquiries from an authoritative source, and find that the crux of the matter centres really in the question of whether it should pass eastward or to westward of Tangihua Range. .There are two points definitely fixed by natural conditions through which a central main trunk line must pass. .. These, are McCarroll’s gap on the south and the Mangakahia iGorgejk some 30 miles from Kaikohe, on the north. In a direct line between the two points is the Tangihua Range, one of the highest mountains' north of Auckland; therefore, it must be obvious that a curve will be necessary - in adapting either suggested route to connect these points. Thirty years ago, when Mr. Knorpe’s survey party contoured, the country, the land to eastward was open, and to some extent settled. Wha- -' ngarei was then the only important settlement north, and was the first objec- v tive point of a North Auckland railway,' and it has been pointed out that the I country of Maungakaramea. was favourable to the extension of the line to the North. The question of railway continuation, etc., to the extreme North had lain dormant during intervening years until recently. In the meantime the immense valley of the Northern Wairoa River, which at the time of Mr. Knorpe’s exploration was unsettled and was covered by vast unbroken forest, and the nature of the soil covered by the bush never having been ascertained. During recent years a very rapid extension of settlement had resulted in almost all of the forests being converted into farmlands, a large portion of which has proved to be equal in fertility to the finest grazing land of the South. Manifestly the occupants of, this vast fertilp area consider themselves entitled to have the question of route pf the jjain Trunk , Ralwiay line passing through this part, of, the peninsula to be entirely reconsidered! with the light of present-day developments. Many arguments can be ad duced by either party which will prove that the construction of the railway by either route will be a profitable undertaking*. The point at issue is not a local one, as the lines are never widely diverged; ' but is one very naturally affecting the interests of the settlers of the Far North; and involves such national questions as the securing of the best express rail route, and the best line from a strate-1 gieal point of view I in 1 the' defence of the Dominion. x ’

It might also be pointed out that-the island is only about 40- miles in'extreme ■width on the northern-pbninsuhi', so'that whatever route is decided the settlers ■ on either side willbe- ■ within twentjr miles': of the railway' 'at bktreme. poiiitk. Speaking at a banquet tendered by the Dargaville Borough Council, the

Map of the country North of Helensville, which will enable the reader to follow the question of the route of the Main Trunk Line North of Auckland. The line is now open to Wellsford; and up to Toponui • Bridge there is no . dispute. The dotted lines show two-divergent routes advocated by the .Eastern and, the West-ern-parties, and the plain black line indicates the portions, where they are' in accord. The ’{Minister of PtiWie Work's'has promised that there will be no " political'cartes'” in the line,'and the result of his investigations will be • * awaited with great interest in the North.

Hobson County Council, tLe. Kaipara Chamber of Commerce, and the Kaipara -Railway League, to the Hon. R. McKenzie, Minister for Public Works, the Minister spoke , very enthusiastically of vlie quality of the land he had seen so far in Auckland North. People in the South -had the impression that the land in the North was a bare and barren wilderness,, but he a could assure them that the land he passed through yesterday and to-day was the best he had seen in the country, and was so good and the population was so grand that

the country was warranted in vigorously pushing this North Auckland Trunk line through. The cost of the line would reach fully million. He again explained his position in the matter of the route, and he emphasised the fact that he was there to see even-handed justice to all. Whichever route was agreed upon, it would be fixed with the confidence that it. would be best for the country generally, and he was satisfied that the Government would in this matter retain the confidence and goodwill of the settlers concerned.