THE EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2146, 31 July 1907, Page 3

THE EAST COAST RAILWAY.

CHAMPIONED BY MR. LAURENSON. (Special to Timos.) WELLINGTON, last night. Speaking of the proposed East Coast railway this afternoon, Mr. W. H. Herrios said that he knew of no .line An. tho colony that would pay better than a’ link; from' Gisborhe to Auckland. “I am positive,” he said, “that the country that, would bo traversed is one of the finest- tracts ol couivtry in tho colony.’ Ho rot or ret l to the largo area of lands that would •bo opened up by tho railway which 'hof'-urged would be a very profitable speculation for . tho State. Mr. Laurenson said that ho believed that this railway would pay. Ho had visited C.isborno recently and hb was astounded at the potentialities of the district. Gisborne wat only just entering upon its period ol prosperity. When he compared Gis borne’s position with the expenditure of £600,000 to bo spent on the tunnel between Canterbury and the West Coast be felt that- Gisborne had the prior claim. (Hear, hoar.) Ho said that without saying anything about- the Midland Railway. His own opinion, however, was that tho Midland Railway should never have been commenced. It had been a scandal from tho day it had beer commenced. It was a scandal thal it- had over boon brought to its pro sent position, but- having boon brought to that position he realised that the Government must now bring it -to a pnying point, and the only way to do that . was by carrying it through.