EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1702, 19 March 1906, Page 2

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

AUCKLAND AT LAST WAKING UP.

On Saturday Mr W. Gaudin, honorary secretary to tho East Coast Railway League, received the following important telegram from the Hon. JamesCarroil, who is at Rotorua, iu regard to railway matters:— '

“ i’Jeaeed to inform you that considerable aotivity is being displayed by the Auckland Railway League! as disclosed by wires exchanged be* tween ns relative to the Gisborne railway and its connection with Auckland. I have assured theif — secretary, Mr Teweley, thaOhe East Coast League will be only too delighted to cooperate with them in promoting the desired com* munication, and a'so promised that I would write and request you to send him any data and information that might be of assistance to them in prosecuting matters at their end, This is an opportunity that we should make the most of, and nothing should bo left undone that will tend to stimulate healthy action on the part of Auckland."

The secretary of the looal league has replied to Mr Carroll expressing pleasure that the Auckland League is at last turning its attention towards Gisborne, and informing him that a meeting of the East Coast League will be held as soon as the president, Mr J. Townley, returned from Auckland,

LETTERS FROM MR HERBIES AND MR CARROLL.

- L i THE QUESTION OF ROUTE.

to Gisborne Times.) Auokland, Saturday. Under the above beading the following appears in to-day’s New Zealand Herald The following communications have been handed to us for■ publication by Mr E. R. Hunt, secretary of the Auckland Railways League : Mr Herries writes as follows s— *• With reference to a letter signed by Mr Tewsley one of your vioe presidents, dated Ist in-' slant, I am very glad that the League is taking up the question of the East Coast railway. I think the line of route whioh is likely to be adopted by the Public Works Department, and whioh would probably be the best in the long run, is the following i •—Waihi, Katikat' - , Tauranga, Te Puke, aod join the present line at Mamaku, thence from Rotorua, Te Ttko, Taneabia, round the head of the Ohiwa Harbor,’ to Opotiki, and thenoe up the Otara" River to Motu, and so to Q-is-borne. Mr HalNJones, in his Pubs lio Works Statement, stated that he was going to survey that portion of the line from Mamaku to Te Puke, and I think he should bo reminded of that. I understood that that portion of line could bo the easiest made of auy, and would open up a good timber area, thus conneoting tho rich districts of Te Puke, Ponga* kawa, and Papamoa with the railway systern of the oolony. On the Gisborne side the trial survey has been made, I believe* as far aB the Motu, and I think the Minister should bo urged to get the trial survey continued to Opotiki. Efforts should also be made to get a survey made of the continuation of the Waihi line in the direotion of Tauranga, but bb the Government refused an offer to find the money to oonstruct the line to Bowentown (Katikati Heads), I am less hopeful of getting anything done than in the other oases.” The following telegram was received by Mr Townloy from the Hon. J. Carroll 11 Reoeived your communication on the eubjeot of Gisborne railway and its niff, mate destination just on my leaving Wellington. Later on I will send you fuller reply. In the meantime, lam very glad you are taking action at your end, in re* speot to the same. I do not think it matters much at present as to what parti, oular route ia followed ; that may be left to expert knowledge. The main objective is connecting with you either by Rotorua or Waihi. Gisborne and Bay of Plenty should constitute an important attachment to ycu, as it will certainly be a great booD to us, and a valuable addition to our general system of railway. Wo shall be delighted to co-operato with you in any way that will promote these ends. lam communicating with our East Coast League, with a view plaoing all our data at your disposal,”