A CHANGE OF ROUTES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 43, 15 November 1920, Page 4

A CHANGE OF ROUTES

r* RIJSNHEIM-CHRISTCHURCII RAILWAY. (i'row a Correspondent.) Blenheim, November 13The 6iatemcnt by tho Minister of Pub-: lie Works that no further steps will be token regarding the building of the. South Island Main Trunk line, until tho 1 various routes had been carefully exam-: inud. gives a different complexion to the • proposed light railway up tho Wairau Valley, from Blenheim to tho Bulier.. This has always been regarded as an ur-gently-needed railway, which would bring coal and timber into Marlborough and carry produco to the coast. But with the connection with Christchurch practically committed to the Kaikonra route, 'there was a division in the camp as tp whether the province should press oil with tho West Coast connection, it being held by 6ome that it might jeopardise the completion of the Main Trunk line. The Minister's intention to explore all possible routes, in company with the Engineer-in-Chicf, .who favours tho inland route, makes it more than probable that this route will bo chosen. Tlte fact that the distance would bo no longer than by the const route and tho Rddcd advantage that ..Nelson can be linked up also, are regarded as strong arguments in its favour; further than this, vast arean of Crown land would bo tapped, and the line would bo a safe one in time of war. With theso facts beforo them, the promoters of the light line nro pushing on with the preliminaries to forming a railway board, and nro hopeful thai publio bodies of Nelson will join in building a 3ft-. 6in. light railway, SO miles in length, from Blenheim to Kawatiri. At Tophouea, 5S miles out from Blenheim, tho proposed route to Chrletchnrcn' branches to the southward, and the light lino to that point would bo tho font runner of the standard line. Blenheimand Nelson would be about equi-distant from Christchurch if the trunk line w:ih completed, and tho line would join the present Canterbury system at Waiaii, near Culverdeu. Tho vnlno of the BlenheimJCawntiri line to Wellington would bo considerable, 6ince from the ports of Nckon anil Picton a busy trade with the capital must result. The completion of the South Island Main Trunk by the inland route would Increase this traffic.