PAEROA RAIL-LINK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 19, 24 October 1944, Page 5

PAEROA RAIL-LINK

MR W. SULLIVAN'S QUERY

COMPLETED AFTER WAR

The question of the Pac,roa-Pok-cno railway Avas raised by Mr W. SulliA T an (National Bay of Plenty) when the Public Works Estimates were under discussion in the House of Representatives. The, Minister of Works (Mr Semple): That aa 7 ill be gone on Avith as soon as the war is over and not 9. a day before. The Avar stopped the work, and as soon as the Avar fi nr islies AA r e will go on Avith it. Mr SulliA'an said the completion of the, line Avould be of immeasur-. able value to the Bay of Plenty district. He would also ask that the survey of the East Coast line be completed. It Avas most advisable that the North Island railways should be linked up to comple.te the circuit and the filling in, of that gap Avas part of that scheme. The Avor'k had been started many years ago and had then come to a dead stop. Mr Semple: We will complete the survey as. soon as avc can." Mr Sullivan said that the reA 7 enue from the extension of the line, from Gisborne had surprised the Depart-* ment and the reA'enue Avas still in-, creasing. That showed that no railway project could be judged from the revenue earning aspect until the line Avas completed. The Avork ref ferred to Avas of national importance although it would also be of immense, benefit to the district. The previous year ? over 300 000 head of stock had been taken out of the area from Gisborne, to Te Araroa r and it Avould be of enormous assistr ance. to the district if the stock could be transported by rail. It might be necessary to liaA 7 e an aerial survey made to ascertain the most economical and most serviceable route.