MAJOR OBJECTIVE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19979, 3 July 1939, Page 14

MAJOR OBJECTIVE

COMPLETION TO WAIROA EAST COAST RAILWAY DECISIVE ACTION TAKEN MINISTERIAL COMMENT (Herald Special Renorter). ’ “It is a privilege to be preseht at a time when a whole province rejoices, as Hawke's Bay is doing today, at the completion of a necessary work of major economic importance upon which high hopes have been placed through many long years; and I am particularly happy to be a member of the Government whose decisive action, has resulted in the line* being opened for traffic to-day—-and not at' some nebulous date in the dim and distant future, which seemed to be the destiny of the line prior to the accession to office of this Government,” said the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, interviewed in connection with Saturday’s railway function in Wairoa.

“I regard this as an occasion of outstanding importance not only to Hawke’s Bay, but to the whole Dominion, because the direct benefits which the new line confers on the areas it serves cannot fail to have a stimulating effect upon the general trade and industry of the Dominion,” said Mr. Sullivan. “The settlers of this district know full well how long deferred the work has been. But it is useful to remember that although Napier and Hastings were connected by rail as early as 1874, 44 years elapsed before the first tangible evidence of railroad construction from Napier towards Wairoa was seen in the completion of the Westshore railway bridge in 1918.

“The railway was opened to Eskdale in 1923, and Putorino—half-way between Napier and Wairoa —was reached in 1930. The line to Raupunga was taken over by the Railways Department in February of the present year, and now we celebrate the opening of the whole Napier-Wairoa section, and the taking over by the Railways Department of the complete line of 90 miles from Napier to Waikokopu. Unprecedented Difficulties

“I believe, and I am sure my colleague the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, will agree with me, that the Napier-Wairoa railway has been built under difficulties unprecedented in the history of railroad construction in New Zealand—a land where engineering problems in railway construction have been extraordinarily plentiful. “After the earthquakes in 1931, the Government of the day decided definitely to abandon the line—and did so. The Labour Government, on coming into power in November 1935, and in accordance with its belief in the necessity, in the public interest, of completing the principal railway lines of the Dominion, determined to rebuild this damaged and abandoned railway and to proceed with the work of further construction. “All who had occasion to visit the lqcality after the resumption of this work will agree that the engineers and workmen tackled the job with rare energy and ingenuity; but there was a most disappointing setback when, in April, 1938, huge floods played havoc with their work. " “Undeterred, however, by this stroke Of ill-fortune, the engineers and their staffs continued to push ahead with the job. They worked miracles in surmounting all the obstacles of the route, and to-day have the satisfaction of knowing that their epic of effort is rewarded, in the assurance which improved access gives a brighter and more prosperous future for this important and rapidly developing district. Tribute to the Hon. K. Semple “As you know, the Public Works Department builds New Zealand's railways and the Railways Department maintains and operates them. It is not too much to say that to the Public Works Department, the Hon. R. Sempie brought a new inspiration and a driving force ar.d boldness of conception and execution unexampled in the history of public works administration in New Zealand. I say all honour to him, and to his department and staff for the good job they have done in pushing through the construction of this line in the face of the severest handicaps.

“In this connection I need make special reference only to the completion of the Mohaka Viaduct as an outstanding example of v/hat New Zealand engineers and builders can do under the right leadership and when actuated by motives which place public works welfare in the forefront. High Quality Transport “Now that the line is an accomplished fact, if is. my responsibility, aa Minister of Railways, to see that the purpose for which the work was undertaken is fully met by the provision of suitable and adequate services. “And this reminds me that, just a year ago, I had the pleasure of presiding at the inaugural ceremony which marked the official changeover from steam to electric traction and the introduction of multiple-unit passenger trains on the WellingtonJohnsonville suburban line. “That improvement was also the result of a decision made by the present Government, and has been an outstanding success in providing the most pleasing and satisfactory form of suburban passenger transport yet available in any part of the world. “Emulating that .great forward step in Dominion transport. from Monday my department will commence operating on the Napier-Wai-roa line the latest type of railcars, designed and built by our own engineers and craftsmen, to ensure rapid, and comfortable transport for travellers on this route. Highly-Efflcient Railcars “These railcars, of the Aotea type, already have demonstrated their usefulness and popularity on the Wellington-Taranaki run. where the recently inaugurated thrice weekly service is so .well patronised that it appears an increase in the frequency

of the service will soon become necessary. “Here you are to have these higli-ly-efficient and popular rail cars running twice daily in each direction between Wairoa and Napier, and then, for good measure at the weekends, a complete railcar run to Wellington and back. That is a passenger service superior, I think, to anything so far given to any new line in the Dominion and you may regard it as some recompense for the long time of waiting the district lias endured before rail access was provided. “There, will be an adequate goods service to Help the further development of your primary and secondary industries. Increasing Product ion “One of the principal benefits the railway confers on Wairoa and Che intervening districts to Napier is the opportunity it affords for increasing both primary and secondary production throughout the area it serves. In this respect the railway makes easy the transport of goods and live stock to a degree not otherwise possible and at a cost 'below that of any other means. More productive land, greater settlement, the creation of new markets, a more extensive interchange of commodities and a general increase in the wealth of the whole community are among the blessings the railways bring in their wake.

“That is the experience of other districts and that will be, to an outstanding degree, the experience of northern Hawke’s Bay in the years upon which we are now entering. And I believe that, as the line proceeds to Jink up with Poverty Bay there wul be a further increase

in the importance of Wairoa as a productive and industrial centre. “There is no doubt in my mind that the Government’s railway policy, which included the maximum use of existing lines and .their extension through hitherto untapped productive territories, has been a majorfactor in making the railway year just ended the department’s record year for business done and revenue earned.”