THORNDON RECLAMATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 292, 29 August 1918, Page 4

THORNDON RECLAMATION

RAILWAY DEPARTMENT CRITICISED.

The reclamation schcine at Thorndon has bcoh a bone of contention for a long timo between the Jlaihvay Department and the Wellington Harbour Board. It has been disoussed again and again by tho board, and always members have expressed their extreme disgust with the methods of the Railway Department. At tho Harbours Conference a few weeks ago other boards told of other troubles with tho Railway Department, so that tho exporicnco of AVellington is not singular. The board wants to make tho reclamation, but some plan must be agreed upon, for tho Railway Department has had for fourteen years or so authority to take this land. But always tho obstacle to progress with the work has been indecision 011 tho part of tho Railway Department. At first tho Department did not want much of tho land; now it wants practically all of it. The board has stated its minimum requirements, and these are under consideration by the Railway Department. Meantime the work of reclaiming 61 acres from tho sea does not go on, amj tho board's expensivo plant, costing thousands a year, is rusting in idleness. Those matters wero all discussed at tho. meeting of tho Harbour Board last night. Mr. Cobbo suggested that tho National Efiicicncy Board might with advantage devote three months in an endeavour to introduce efficiency into tho Railway Department. Tlio hoard resolved at length 011 the motion of Sir. M'Ewan, that tho board send a deputation to Ministers 011 tho subject, and try to get authority to go on with the. reclamation. It was pointed out that tho land was urgently needed to give access to other land already reclaimed by tho board at heavy cost, and to make nooin for other works which ought very soon to, bo undertaken to provide for tho growing needs 'of tho port.