GISBORNE-ROTORUA RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 209, 28 May 1908, Page 6

GISBORNE-ROTORUA RAILWAY.

NEW SECTION DECLARED OPEN. . [by telegbaph.—pbess association.] Gisborne, May 27. A now section of the Gisborne-llotorua Railway was declared open for traffic to-day by the Hon. J. M'Gowan, Minister for Justice, the Hon. J. Carroll being also present, though too ill to address the people. The new section is three miles in length, extending from, Pulia to the Willows crossing, and opens up some magnificent sheep country, as well as bringing Gisborne so much nearer the vast timber tracts, of the Motu. The ceremony took place in perfect weather. The Mayor of Gisborne end ropresontAtivcs of local bodies attended and spokej the burden of their addresses being, t-hat the Government should exhibit greater expedition with the next section than has hitherto been displayed in connection'with this line. It is claimed that, as the line is already paying its way, there is every reason to anticipate 'that in t-h'e future every additional milo constructed will add to the' profit the Dominion will receive from tho lino. This would come from, the' 1 revenue derived from the carriage of timber from the Motu, and also of fat lambs. • In his speech, Mr. M'Gowaiv claimed that ever since he had entered Parliament he had been a warm advccate of tho East Coast Railway, and promised to use his influence to accelerate its rate of : construction! At the same time, it must lie remembered that there were seventeen other lines in the Dominion, all of which' were con- ' ' sideredv by those /immediately concerned as of paramount, importance. In the evening a public meeting was held in tho Theatre under the auspices of the East Coast Railway League, at which resolutions wore carried unanimously urging the Government to prccced more vigorously 'with the line in tho future. It was claimcd in the _ resolutions that the line has already ■justified its construction m the commencement of a main Dominion railway, and that when extended to Raukauroa it will more than douhlo its present revenue, without incurring any serious increase' in expenditure. The section' is to be officially opened early next month by the Premier- but in ■ tie meantime is available for traffio,.