AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1703, 20 March 1906, Page 3

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

EAST COAST RAILWAY. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS. QUESTION OF ROUTES.

{Special to Times.) Auckland, last n'ght. At a deputation to the Minister of Public Works, referring to the Gisborne railway, Mr Tewsley quoted a communication received from the Hon. Jas. Carroll on the subjeot, and a'so resolutions passed by the various local bodies. They would like to know what steps were being taken ’ towards the carrying out of that work. The Minister pointed out that in Canter* bury, where lines ran along the water front, as was proposed in this instanoe, it was felt that the line should have been farther inland, so that it might tap the country from both sides. Mr Jaa. Stewart pointed out that the , water carriage along the East Coast was a negligible quantity, owiog to poor harbors He had known oargo to wait several weeks, while stock was never carried by water. Tauranga was the only place whioh had harbor worthy of the name, except Ohiwe, whioh had not sufficient back country. Mr Stewart, who made a flying survey of the line from Gisborne to the East Coast for the Public Works Department, stated that there was one very serious engineering difficulty to bo 'overcome between Motu and Whakatane, bnt beyond this the work was comparatively easy. A light line could be constructed with ouly one tunnel, abont the size of the Domain tunnel, the summit being some 2000 feet above sea eve). Mr Peaoocke pointed out that the majority of the East Coast harbors oould only be used by small vessels, aud in calm woather. He pointed out that if a line were carried along the proposed route it would go through settled and cultivated oountry, while if put further back there would bo no population for some years, aud roads or light lines would have to be construction to tap the existing settlements. For present requirements, and to Bait the publio convenience for many years to oome, the lias should go through Whakataae, Opo’.iki, and Tauranga, to Waihi. Altar replying regarding the other lino the Minister, comiDg to the Gisborne railway, Btated that there were 150 workers on the southern end, and good progress was being to the Motu. Boyond that, they had the difficult pieoe of work which Mr Steward had meutioned. As he was going through Tauranga and Katikati, he was very pleased to hear what the deputation had to say on this point. He had also had proposals for a line connects jog Gisborne, Te Puke, and Tauranga with Rotorua or Mamaka, He pointed out that there was a danger of the East Coaßt line taking traffic off the main line by the oargo being shipped by water to Tauranga, and they carried the shorter di&tanoe over the rail. The coastal line would of oourse only take local traffic from one side, and a great deal had to be done beforo the line from Gisborne to Tauranga oould be got through. He believed that owing to the difficulties it would take a good many years. Mr Stswarl: lam afraid so.

The Minister said that he would give the representatives ol the deputation every consideration. PERSONAL. Mr Kronfeld, the well-known Auokland mercban*, left to night on a visit to the Old Country. Miss Bcoadburst, of Gisborne, left Lon-< don by the Gothic. Among the Gisborne passengers leaving by the e.s. Mokoia, timed to sail at 4 p m to morrow, are Mr and Mrs MacGregor, Mrs Ferris and child, Mrs Chrißp and ohild, Mr and Mrs H. T. Jones and two children, Mrs MoLaughlin, Mrs Hamilton, Misses Ford and Hyde, Messrs Rosie, Gerrard, Lyali, Tattely, and Fowler.