RIVAL ROUTES—A DECISION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1150, 10 June 1911, Page 5

RIVAL ROUTES—A DECISION.

NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

The Royal Commission, which.' was sot ip early in the year to report upon tho route of . the North Auckland railway, has sent in its finding. Tho Commissioners favour the western route, which has been advocated by the Dargavillo people, as against that sought by tho members for Marsden, and the Whangarei community.

Tho Commission recommends the immediate construction of the line. This is justified in the Commissioners' opinion by the excellence of tho land that will be opened, and the urgent need for its development. A great area of lands will be served, the quality and excellence of which are compared to tho Taranaki and Waikato districts, and it is anticipated that even better agricultural results will be obtained here Man in the two localities named. The approximate area which will support the line is given as over one million acres. The Commissioners believe that in a few years the returns will more than pay interest on the ,£700,000 which is the estimated cost of the line.

It is suggested that when the line is conslructed a branch should be run to connict with tho Whangarei-Kawnkawa lino at the south end, this branch line to take precedence over other branches north of Auckland.

The Commissioners also recommend that all large blocks of land, whether owned by Europeans or Natives, lying on ■the route of the North Auckland railway or adjacent thereto, and likely lo be affected in value by the construction of the line, bo acquired by the Crown without delay, for closcr settlement.