AUCKLAND RAILWAY LEAGUE,

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2114, 24 June 1907, Page 2

AUCKLAND RAILWAY LEAGUE,

THE EAST COAST LINE. Press Association. ' AUCKLAND, Saturday. T)in annual meeting of the Auckland Railway. League was held at the Chamber of" (/Giiiipe.rpe. The Alayor of Auckland presided. The president, in moving the adoption sf the report and accounts, remarked that he felt sure the citizens recognised the good work done by tho League. But for their efforts it was doubtful if the Alain Trunk line would have received tlio consideration it already had been given by the Government. Tine Alain Trunk line between Auckland and Wellington would be finished at the end of next year, hut it was necessary to see that tho Government gave every consideration to other lines. The revenue on the Auckland lilies for the past year was £445 per mile, while on the North Island lines (including Alanawatu) it was £405, whereas the earnings on the South lines amounted to £287. It was generally admitted that progress in the Auckland district was greater than in any other part of the colony, and that ought f-t) lie sufficient: inducement for Jthe Government fo give favorable consideration to the just claims of the North, especially when, as was shown, the number of lines opened in the* South exceeded those of the North.

With regard to the East Coast line it claimed tlio support, not only of I Auckland, lint of the rest of the colony,- for it-;was a. colonial undertaking. The Government should speedily take in hand the completion of tho North pf Auckland railway. He advocated tile jLeagqe co-operating with other Leagues l/i showing a united front to the Government of whatever shade of political opinion if might be, and demand that justice bo done to this important part ‘of the colony. ” Air. G. L. Peacockc seconded the adoption of the report. He strongly advocated the East Coast railway line from Gisborne to Auckland! If Auckland was connected with Gisborne via Paeroa. tlio line from Paeroa should run struight through the Piako swamps to Auckland." The Government owned 48,000 acres.between Piako and Aliranda. This swamp couhl be brought into profitable use by draining, fpr it would then return from 15 to 30 tons pf flax per acre, the royalty upon wliiuli would be £1 per top. That showed the imniKiisp possibilties of the areas on tho route of the East Coast railway. Tf the East Coast railway was connected with Paeroa it would open up 200,000 acres of fertile country. • The flax alone would justify the opening up qf this country. The report was adopted.