RAILWAY DEVIATION

Evening Star, Issue 22459, 2 October 1936, Page 14

RAILWAY DEVIATION

NEW PLYMOUTH IMPROVEMENT TO GOST £500,000 [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, October 1. “ An Act to authorise the construction of a certain railway.” This formal title to a Governor’s Message introduced in the House aroused keen interest on the Opposition benches, members wondering what further surprise in public works had made an appearance. “Might we ask the Minister of Works to let us. into the secret?” inquired Mr Forbes, who assured him there was a good deal of expectation. Air Semple (Minister of Works) relieved the situation by at once explaining that the measure authorised the construction of a deviation of the New Plymouth railway near Tukakina, from which point it would run north about two miles east of the existing line before again junctioning with it. There had been a good deal of talk about the necessity for this deviation for years, added the Minister, and when it was completed it would be a groat benefit to the system. The time had arrived when they would heed to have a serious look at some of our badly constructed railways, and the same applied to highways. With growing population, which meant increased travel, it was necessary to bring the highways and the railways up to a higher standard. The Turakina deviation would cost about £500,000, and would probably take three and a-half years to construct, employing at the peak point between 400 and 500 men.