SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21419, 11 March 1935, Page 7

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

To IHI r.DITuB OF IHF FIiE&SSir,—Dr. Henry T. J. Thacker appcars most optimistic about the finishing of the above railway and a concrete roadway alongside. Surely he cannot with reason ask that this foolish undertaking can again be commenced alter all the waste on the two previous occasions and in face of-the well-considered decision of the " al1 " ways Board that this railway would not pay, but be a further burden on the general public for all time. Can he imagine that the Railways Board and Main Highways Board could either favourably view the road competing with the railway, or vice versa. Nor can I conceive that the Cheviot Progress "League can give support to the railway, when it would on completion take most of the road business away from their township. Apparently all it would derive from the railway would be a little trade during the construction work. . I can fancy Cheviot cars iickled by the promise of a concrete highway, and so with all the farmers in the "neglected north; but I cannot see what benefit they can expect upon the completion of the railway. No doubt Dr. Thacker will also promise them electric light and power; and all this makes me wonder if he is not electioneering. Perhaps he is soon to hear that he is to oppose our Prime Minister at the next election. Why should the unemployment levies be taken out of Canterbury and Marlborough payees and be spent at stan dard rates of pay on so hopeless a job. This is surely another sop, to the workers this time. Yours, etc., FALCON> Hawkswood, March 9, 1935.