RAILING THE EAST COAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3320, 12 September 1911, Page 2

RAILING THE EAST COAST.

THE MAPIER-GISBORNE LINE. ADVERSE OPINION FROM AUCKLAND “NORTHERN CONNECTION SHOULD COME FIRST.” [SPECIAL TO TIMES.] AUCKLAND, Sept. 11. A meeting of t-lie Council of the Auckland Railway League was held this afternoon to consider the report tor the year just ended, as prepared by the chairman. Referring to the East Coast main trunk, the chairman said : “This line to connect Auckland, with Gisborne via Waihi and Tauranga, is one of the most important public works in the North Island. The vote, of £IOO,OOO was asked for l>y the League last year, and a resolution was passed at the, annual meeting, urging the starting of the work at the Waihi end. as soon as possible. A sum of £llO,000 was voted) for this line, namely £BO,OOO for the Gisborne to Motu section, £26,000 for the Tauranga-Pae-ngaroa section, and £SOOO to commence work from Gisborne . towards Napier. No money was provided or authorisation made, for the. extension of the lino from the Waihi end, and this the League’s Council regarded as a great mistake, as it delayed the linking up of Tauranga and the other East Coast settlements, and the magnificent Bay of Plenty district with Auckland. Moreover, being a mining community, and a consuming centre for farm produce of every kind, would afford a. good local market for the farmers of the East Coast. The League’s Council, therefore, regarded it as of far more importance in the interests of the whole Dominion that the railway should be pushed on without delay from the Waihi end. He supposed the great importance, according to the Minister of Public Works, “of completing railway connection between Auckland and Wellington by the East Coast route” was not apparent to the Auckland Council. In view of the direct communf'Cation already existing by the North Island Main trunk line, it was desirable that the expenditure of piiblic money upon the Gisborne-Napier connections should be postponed until Auckland was connected with Gisborne, or at least until the lino from the Gisborne end reached Motu, and from the Waihi end reached Opotiki. The success of the Parliamentary tour of the East Coast route in August initiated 'bv tlie Council was also commented upon. The report was generally approved and the annual meeting will be held next week.