OUR READERS’ OPINIONS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9848, 29 October 1924, Page 3

OUR READERS’ OPINIONS

—— ———— - GISBORNE-WAIROA RAILWAY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I was in l the “hack blocks” when your last Friday’s Times readied nee. It was with great surprise I read your leading article, which discussed the attitude taken' up by- the Hon. J. G. Coates on railway construction, deviation, duplication, etc., etc. But it was: with something mono than- surprise I read, the Minister’s query “What promise did I 1 give?” Well, sir, I have a. record of the day and date, as well as of the words the lion, gentleman used when discussing this particular subject with me, near the homestead at Pehiri, on the evening of Tuesday, May 17. 1921. Mr. Coates was in. Gisborne. It was arranged that a visit should be made the next day to the Ngatapa-Waikura section of the Gisborno-Napier railway. I arranged with one or two of the Ministerial party to meet the Minister at Mr. Jeffrey’s woolshed and go with them to the exit of the tunnel, and I had arranged to entertain the party at afternoon tea. But wo wero disappointed. The weather was wet and stormy ami quite a. number of the party turned back from Waercnga-o-kuri, but the Minister and a few others came on. They were met by me on arrival. Mr. Coates was shown the spot where the tunnel emerged from the hill, he v,as taken for a short distance over tli'e"‘Survey lino, lie was shown the permanent pegs, painted and numbered, and lie expressed surprise at the splendid quality of the land and the case with v/liich it could he railwayed.

It was at tliat point he said) lie would go on slowly at Ngatapa until the Otira tun'nel and the formation on the North Auckland line was finished. “The,’’ said the Minister, ‘‘J, will concentrate on this line.” He said lie would transfer plant from the latter line and some then on order and speed up the construction of this line. Mr. David 1 Whyte and I asked him how long that would be. Mr. Coates replied, “Within two years, or about two years.” The Minister added that he would put 400 or 500 men on this section, and with proper up-to-date machinery he would make short v.fork of this line.. When reminded of this statement on a subsequent visit, he said lie meant 400 or 506 men between Gisborne' and Napier. Oh the Minister’s last journey over this route I was invited by him to ho one of The party. We wont by car to the Ngatapa end of Sherbrooke station, where my son and man met us with horses. The Minister was shown the line of tunnel and route of railway for about twelve miles clown to Hangaroa, and we pointed out the easy going for that distance after leaving the tunrad. Both Air. Coates and Air. Furkett admitted the truth of this.

Now, sir, if Mr. Lysnar wishes, he can got a sworn statement from me at any time as to Air. Coates’ distinct and definite promise to concentrate on, and speed up the construction; of the Gisbornc-Napicr railway within two years, or about- two years from Wednesday, the eighteenth day of A lay, 1921. Now, sir, I am going to ii*vite Air. Lysnar to ask the Hon. J. G. Coates from his_ place in Parliament whether there is any truth in the rumor from Wairoa that- it is the intention of himself or the Afassey Government to take the main East Coast railway up the Ruatokuri valley from AVairoa, through the Urcwera Country to AVaimaiio, and thus cut Gisborne off the main line. I want, sir, my own and other minds setting at rest on this point. Ugly and persistent rumors have reached me about this and Air. Lvsnar is nsk*ed to get the matter settled as to the truth or otherwise by question from his seat in Parliament. —I am, yours, etc FRANCIS STAFFORD.

P.S. : If the Government persist in their absurd prefect- of the AluriwaiNuliaka route I could believe them capable of doing any other foolish tiling.—F.S.