TO BE OPENED IN NOVEMBER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 272, 10 August 1908, Page 8

TO BE OPENED IN NOVEMBER.

PRIME MINISTER'S VIEWS. SOME ANTICIPATED DEVELOPMENTS. (BY • IELEGIUrn—PRISS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, August 9. The Prime Minister, interviewed on the parliamentary fleet train between Wellington and Auckland, said:—"The initial run right through' has been very satisfactory. A feature I want to emphasise is that it is tho longest express riin ever made in the Dominion, 'being 28 miles longer than the longest run hitherto:' This is the first time in tho history of the Dominion that wide carriages have been used. .Until now they have only been run to the Hutt, a distance of 20 miles. On the present occasion they have run without a hitch of any sort or kind. >' The very highest credit is due to tho Petono workshops. Wo shall arrive at Auckland about twenty minutes.late. This is not due to inability to run to scheduled time, but ,to the necessity of several times obtaining water for the dining cars, as a result of the heavy demand upon them, requiring fully ten minutes' delay at several places. But for that fact, also tho time wasted in changing to the light engines to go over the unballasted portion of the line, and tho re-change to heavy engines, we could have run to time with comparative ease. "

A Nineteen Hour, Trip.—Extra Servicss. " When the uncompleted section is in full ■ .unning order we shall complete the journey easily in 19 hours. Moreover, this train is . very'heavy. It will ■be rarely that an express is so heavy. Then 90-ton engines will >o used over the whole run. I must 1 say that splendid work has been done by the present engine-driver, who is in control of this heavy erigino for the first time." ■' .. Asked as to the effect of the opening of the Main Trunk line; Sir Joseph Ward said:—"l think it quite certain that the linking up of the Trunk line will mean a .very; considerable development of traffic, which, in turn, will mean a very considerable development of business and settlement in' tho interior of the North Island.' A short time will provo the accuracy.of my judgment, and I,think one or • twoslower trains, besides the expresses, may : he necessary, for the reason that wo liavo a single .line of rails, and traffic must develop locally. Frankton, Ohaku'ne, Taumariinui, and Taihape will develop an independent local trade requiring an outlet north and i south. Further, while certain slow goods trains will become necessary, the' additional passenger traffic, in my will'tell a favourable tale, and will call for an extra passenger ser- . rice, especially during the summer months. , Competition With Sea Routo. "To-day we' are carrying - more than a jormal load, but in future few who are able co go overland —including all women and jhildren, and three out of five men —will ./elect the sea route, involving as it does the aiscomfiture of a sea passage with double transhipment.' So in the course of a few vmonths we may 'expect great' developments 4gain. Unlike the main line of the South Island, which follows the, seaboard, this joute runs through' the heart of the coun r iry. . Therefore commercially it;will not have to meet the same sea competition. "I' have sent a wire to Mr. Hall-Jones, Minister for Railways, complimenting him upon the work done, also the Public Works Department's'.work -on the uncompleted iection. " I appreciate the; way the railway officers have carried out the work. I have also wired to Mr. Ronayne, General Manager of Railways, congratulating him upon the oy the test , has been met. In general, long trips are "a test upon the efficiency of the staff and the material, but this has been a keener test than would be the case if all the line were in sweet running order." Referring to the official opening of the line Sir Joseph Ward said: ''Certain sidings, certain stations, and a portion of the permanent way have yet to be completed. Several rails at present are only temporary, but I .think we shall be able to open the line-for general traffic on November I.' : Every effort to. open it as' soon as possible will be made. .The opening will, probably be ' celebrated by, a through train from Wellington to Auckland. The latter city is the proper place for the celebration of that event, but probably ; tho citizens of Wellington will adopt,some form - of celebration to mark an epoch in the history of Wellington quite as much as in the history of the Northern city." Effect on New Plymouth Section. Regarding the offect the opening of tho ■ line will have upon tho New Plymouth traffic and Taranaki trade, the Prime Minister said: "I do not think the trade of that route will go back. Of course, a certain number of people on the Wellington sido of Wanganui will uso tho'new service, but development on the New Plymouth side of Wanganui, both as regards-passenger and goods traffic, is inevitable, and if a .set-back does occur it will i be purely temporary." , ' _ Referring to tho Parliamentary train, Sir Joseph Ward said it had been his greatest regret to have, to refuso applications to go to Auckland by that train. "But," said he, ■ "had we acceded to all tho requests received ' from all parts, it would have been necessary to run twelve or fourteen trains of this size to carry all the passengers." Mr. Massey. . ' Mr. Massey. Leader of the Opposition, interviewed, said: "The trip has been very successful. It has been graced'with 'exceptionally •fine weather, and tho running has been most satisfactory. Wo have got through in bettor '>time than I expected, and have seen most ',magnificent scenery at its best. Tho viow from Makatote Viaduct was magnificent, and could not be surpassed in the world. Many who bitterly opposed the North Island Main Trunk in past years now say it was the righ't thing to be done." The. Hon. B. Mitchelson was Minister for Public Works when the present route was decided upon. Ho stuck to it against • the bitterest opposition, and must bo exceedingly gratified to see the line an accomplished fact.

To cover the 426 miles between Auckland and Wellington in 19 hours, assuming a continuous run, wpuld require an average speed of 22.42 miles an hour, but, counting in stopping time,; tho average speed will, of course, .be higher. THE ARRIVAL. (Bt TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, August 9. When the Parliamentary train arrived on Saturday nightHhe Auckland railway station was crowded with expectant sightseers. His Excellency 1 the .Governor was among those present. The Mayor (Mr. Arthur Myers) in a brief speech extended the welcome of tho city.. • The. Premier in a brief reply thanked the Mayor and citizens''for their welcome and said the journey just completed was longer by 28 miles than any previous railway trip in the Dominion. Lord Plunket said that he had not come down to the station to ; make a speech, but to witness- a very important event in the history of New Zealand. He thanked tho people for their cordial reception. After loud and hearty cheers the gathering dispersed. '