GISBORNE RAILWAY

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1081, 21 March 1911, Page 6

GISBORNE RAILWAY

THE MINISTER INTERVIEWED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) ■ Gisborne, March 20. The Hon. R. M'Kenzie, Minister for Public Works, was interviewed to-day by a deputation representing the East Coast Inland League regarding the route of tho Gi'bonie railway line southwards. The deputation strongly urged tho advantages of the route to Napier, via Haugaroa, in preference to that via Mangapoikc. The Mayor, in introducing the deputation, said the members had come forty miles to sec the Minister. Mr. Morice said they desired to have all routes investigated before a decision was made. Tho routo they advocated was along the Hangaroa River, and up the Arolia Stream, across a low saddle and through Ngatapa. He said that routo would serve 100,000,t0 300,000 acres, while the Mangapoiko routo would only tap about 80,000 acres. The Minister said the league's information as to what tho engineers had', reported was erroneous. He produced a report of tho engineer-in-chief, showing that tho Hangaroa lino was nine miles longer, and would cost -£9000 or '.£IO,OOO a mile. The deputation contended that the engineer had not seen tho saddle on tho Arolia section of their suggested route. As an alternative the deputation suggested a junction out of the GisbomcMotu line at Waihokou, this saving ten miles 011 tho Cisborne-Auckland line. The Minister said if the deputation could show him such a saving he was prepared to consider it. The Minister complained that some of tho information circulated was erroneous. After discussion it was arranged that the deputation should meet the Minister again 011 Wednesday. He intimated his willingness to at onco send the engineer-in-chief to inspect any of the routes. The deputation asked that the resident engineer should first make a flying survey of tho routes in preference to a casual inspection. The Minister has now gone to Tokomaru Bay. - Tho Wellington City Council invites separate tenders for the hire of the Concert Hall of the Town Hall on Giood I Friday and Easter Monday. A captain in the Royal Navy receives from .£llO 2s. fid. to -£GO2 os. per annum progressively. In the army a captain has 11<. 7d. to los. daily, ajcordins to regiI wnnf.