EAST COAST RAILWAY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 51, 22 February 1944, Page 5

EAST COAST RAILWAY

AERIAL SURVEY PLAN SUPPORT FROM AUCKLAND Support is being given by Auckland' interests! to the proposed construction of a rail link between Gisborne and' the Fast Coast line terminal at Taneatua, states the Gisborne Herald. At a meeting of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, a letter from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was read; advising that following a discussion with Mr Jas. Clirisp the Auckland chamber had written to the Public Works Department asking how far the promised survey of a proposed route between Taneatua and the present railhead at Motuhora had progressed and suggesting that preliminary surveys might be made by air force personnel. "We are 1 particularly anxious that this, survey should proceed, as in view of the probability of re. turned men requiring employment after the war, it occurs to us that this, along with the llimutaka tunnel, the Auckland-Morningside tunnel and the. Pacroa-Pokeno railway arc the most promisiing railway works for prosecution in the immediate jDost-war period in the North Island," the Auckland letter stated, A spirited debate occurred regarding Auckland's attitude over railway matters, some members pointing out that Auckland interests had been far from helpful when Gisborne was clamouring for the construction of. the railway to the south and, in fact, did everything possible to show their disfavour of the project. Other members, however, urged that G'isborne. should secure all possible help from Auckland in regard to the northern outlet, despite the city's past attitude, for Gisborne had more to gain than Auckland did, and this point of view gained the support of, the chamber.