EAST COAST RAILWAY

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1762, 29 May 1913, Page 6

EAST COAST RAILWAY

APATHY OF WELLINGTON. Tho need for better railway communication botwecn Wellington and tho East Coast of this island was brought, under tho notico of tho Wellington Harbour Board by Mr. C. E. Darnell last .night. Ho had been pleased to note, ho said, that tho chairman had in the press shown that he was prepared to assist in pushing forward tho development of tho Wairarapa district. Ho feared tho -psonlo of Wellington did not'realise how im-_ portant this was to tho city, how much' business they were now losing, and how much trade was being diverted from the port; Tlio big hill was an obstacle in tho way of the progress of tho Wairarapa district at prcseut, and whilo Auckland peoplo wcro pushing business southwards, "Wellington peoplo woro apliirontly willing to allow things to drift. He moved that the board approve or tho action of tho chairman ill advocating in the public press the construction of tho proposed East Coast railway, as improved railway access was of -paramount importance alike to tlie country districts and to the port. , Tho chairman said ho had'always realised the importance of this question of better railway communication with the Wnirarapn. He hoped tho citizens of Wellington had at length wakened up, and that the result of tho present activity would be successful and satisfactory to tho country and tho city. He knew that if there was better railway access to the Wairarapa district, it would give a considerable impetus to the port. Ho was bound to admit that tho people of Wellington were not so patriotic as tho peoplo of Auckland, and he would liko to see a little of the Auckland spirit modified slightly perhaps, shown by our citizens. _ .

Mr. A. MacFarlano seconded tlio motion, and endorsed tho Tenuu'ks of tho mover. The motion was carried without further remark of any kind, whereupon Mr. Daniell expressed disappointment nt the lack of enthusiasm shown by the board members in dealing with the question.