MAIN TRUNK GAP.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18234, 19 November 1924, Page 8

MAIN TRUNK GAP.

THE PICTON ROUTE.

SUPPORT FROM OTAGO.

(special to "th? pbiss.")

BLENHEIM, November 18,

Mr W. E,. Hayward, of Dunedin, who is visiting Blenheim in connexion with tho Exhibition, told a reporter that the Otago Expansion League had been looking into the question of the completion of the Pieton-Bluff main trunk railway, and that when a move was made to press the claims of this line on the Government, he thought the Otago League would join in heartily. His own idea was- that the line should be pushed on ahead of any other publiQ work. He was not looking at the matter as it affected Marlborough, for Marlborough's situation at the end of tho line was a mere accident, but as it affected the Dominion as a whole. The work was of national importance, and its urgency was. growing day by day, Mr Haywara said his trip from Wellington on the Wainui the day before had merely served to emphasise an opinion which he had formed long ago—that the logical connexion between the two Islands should be from Picton to Wellington. A fast ship could cross the Strait on this route in very short time. Tho type of ship required swas similar to those employed in the English Channel service— "fast, 25-knot ships, without cabins, and with only a few stewards to attend to tho wants of passengers who might bo ill. He ventured to say that such ships could cross between Pioton and Wellington in a couple of hours. There was no doubt that tho South Main Trunk Line should be completed, and such a steamer service as he had referred to included as an integral link in the communications between the two Islands. At this morning's meeting in connexion with the Dunedin Exhibition, Mr W. J. Girling, M.P., informed the Dunedin visitors that Marlborough hardly regarded itself as a part of tho South Island, for the simple reason that it had no direct means of commercial communication with the southern districts.