RAILWAY DEVIATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1756, 22 May 1913, Page 5

RAILWAY DEVIATION.

PROBLEM IN THE WAIRARAPA

POSITION EXPLAINED. (By Telegraph.—Special Roportcr.) Pahiatua, Yay 21. The railway deviation problem in the Wairarapa, which is now being reviewed oil the spot by Jthc Hon. W. Eraser, Minister lor Public Works, and a representative party of Parliamentarian:;, local body members, and others, is one of cmsiderablo complexity, and, broadly speaking, us the position was explained t'j a Dominion' representative this evening by ill'. C. E. Daniells, of Masterton, the parties agitating for the railway and deviations are agreed that a neglected portion of rich country in the Wairarapa, iyinjf east of the existing railway lure, should bo provided with communication. There is, however, a very great uivusity of opinion as to the route which should be selected. It is ngred that the projected line, whatever its starting-point, should touch Pongaroa, in the heart of the district to be opened up. Originally, Dannevirko was selected as the northern point at which the deviation should link up with the existing line. Now, h iwever, Waipukurau is named as a more suitable junction. The Masterton people want tlio deviation to run east from that town, and then turn north to Pongarim. Opposition claims have been advanced by Mauriceville, - Eketahuna, and J.aliiatua, which lie north, of Jlasterton in that order, A Hying survey of a line from Masterton through Pongaroa, and north as far as Weber, was made in 1902 by Air. J. 11. Dobson, Assistant-Engineer to 'the Public Works Department. Tko (iisiunco from Masterton to Pongaroa on the (lying survey is about 58 miles. From Eketahuna to Pongaroa the distance would 1)0 about 40 miles, and Pahiatua is </bout 3S miles from Pongaroa. Lately !ho Masterton advocates of the line from that town to Pongaroa have l)een met by criticism based upon the view that tliis line would ignore a large area of good country lying east and south of tho proposed line. As surveyed, the deviation lies about midway between the existing Wairarapa line and the coast. Mr. Daniells suggests that the last-named objection would bo met in part by running the line further east before turning rorth, and the proposal to continue the lino south by way of the Wairarapa Lake, without touching Masterton, "lie considers impracticable, on account of the mountain ranges lying across the route, nliu also on account ot the engineering dilhculties presented by the lake. Still another deviation which 'Mr. Daniells favours Would run from the Upper Hutt or Knitoke to Woodside, avoiding the Itimutaka Incline altogether, and saving a distance of seven miles out of twenty-nine. In the north line there are two altemutue •routes from Kaitoke to Woodside, and in either one a tunnel a mile long uoulcl be required. The weight of opinion, vvlacli lies behind the different proposals will appear from the representations on the subject made to the Minister during his present tour. The construction rf a deviation which would avoid tlio Ihmutaka. Incline, Mr. Daniells pointed out, was a matter vitally affecting the interests of the citr, port of Wellington, and of practically tho whole southern portion of tho North Island. The deviation, lio remarked, would be tho gateway Cf tlio great East Coast railway of tho f «.urc.