SOUTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1920, Page 3

SOUTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

A WELLINGTON CRITICISM

WELLINGTON, April 13

Recently, a number of Wellington buinsess men paid a visit to the Marlborough district, and references were made to the trip at a meeting of the Central Chamber of Commerce yesterday.

T 1 ic chairman said it was a surprise to them to discover such a potentially rich district lying practically at the back-door of Wellington. Mr Hart, a member of the Chamber, said tbe district if developed, would be another Wairarapa to Wellington.

i Mr Gaudin, who had continued his journey from Blenheim to Christchurch expressed the opinion that the Marlborough people had struck a false note when they had urged the completion of the South Island Trunk Railway, as it would have to travel over very difficult ground ,and would not open ur much country any good for settlement. Further, it would not open up much trade, as Canterbury and Marlborough produced tho same foodstuffs. It would be a longer and more expensive journey than by boat too. The fare was nearly as much from Picton as from Lyttelton, after which there would be the trai nfare. Marlborough would do bet ter if she went for a railway through to the West Coast, and faster and better steamboat connexion with Wellington. The South Island Trunk Railway, as far aes Marlborough was concerned, would he a white elephant, but that was their' funeral.