HUTT RAILWAY DUPLICATION

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 32, 1 November 1907, Page 9

HUTT RAILWAY DUPLICATION

Another £].00,000,

, ; THE PROGRESS OP THE WORK.

The Prcmior, m moving the second.reading of the Hutt Railway ancTßoad Improvement Bill, said that the original Bill,' 4 passed in 1903, authorised an expenditure of £100,000. A similar sum was : authorised by the Act of 1905. Tho present Bill would authorise another £100,000 to be spent in sums not ox£50,0p0 in ono year. .The total sum' 'authorise:! would', then be £300,000 for the duplication of the Wcllingtou-Hiitt railway, making 'improvements in connection with .the stations at Lower, Hutt', Potoiio/ Ngahauranga, and Kaiwarra, and the necessary alterations at Wellington and To Aro stations. The stations at Lower Hutt and Potono wero ,nqw completed,.and the, double lino was open, from Lower'Hutt to Paparangi Point. , The section ;from Paparangi Point to Ngahauranga, was undo;' construction, and would bo opened at no distant, date. 'Tho widening of tho main road was ' boing carried on along with ; this railway work',' and, as soon as the railway to Ngnli'aurangn was completed, the road would bo opened also. Tho line from Paparangi Point to Wellington would Ik> opener! within a .few months. Tho original Act authorised the expenditure of £75,000 a year, but it was ncccssiify to spend more than.£loo,ooo this year, an-1 that would be provided by this Bill witli the previous one. Tho Back Block , ;. Mr. Hcrrios ontored a jirotest against monoy being spout in places that already had lines, whilo tho bank block?, tjiat had no railway communication wont without. Mr. Fisher would support tho Bill for the renson that it would facilitate residence at the Hutt and relieve tho congection of tho city Ho urged the Premier to push on with tho lino.

Mr. Will'ord suggosted that during the summer months two shifts of men should bo put on. lie again suggested that the suburban area of Wellington should be twenty miles, and this would include Hut I. and Pntono. At present oven Bclmont was outsido the suburban railway area. The second reading was carried.

MEIKLE ACQUITTAL BILL,

The Premier stated that he intended to put the Meilde Bill at the top of tho order paper on Monday next.

Mr. Hornsby asked tlio Minister for Justicts to lay before the House particulars connected with the pledging by Mcikle of certain Government moneys which he hoped to receive, ami which he intended to pay to a certain individual in tho Dominion. The Hon. .1. M'Gowan said ho would consider the request. Tho House roso at 1.20 a.m.