WEST COAST RAILWAY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1927, Page 1

WEST COAST RAILWAY

AN OTAGO OPINION

DUNEDIN, April 0

For years the question of the construction of the east and west coast railways in completion of the main trunk line in the South Island has been discussed at the various Progress League’s conferences. With the idea of gathering firsthand information on the question, Mr S. 15. Macdonald (president of the Otago Expansion League) spent practically a fortnight touring round the South Island on his own initiative. This morning lie expressed the opinion that although the leagues of the South Island are at present committed to tho immediate completion of the east coast railway, they would he well advised from nil economic point of view, to first insist on the bridging of the gap between. Tnangahua Junction and Kawatiri on the West Coast, a distance of under fifty miles.

If that were done Ihe difficulty of obtaining the produce from the north of the island in Dunedin, and from the south end of the island in Nelson would be overcome.

The huge coal traffic which is at present practically all sea-borne would be carried by rail with the completion of the line, and only a short ferry service across Cooli Strait would then be necessary. If the early crops of the Nelson and Marlborough districts could he brought to the south by rail, the cost of living would naturally be relieved, while doubtless in the north end of the island a better market and better prices would he obtained for our products. Personally, lie was of the opinion that the leagues of the Ron 11 1 Island would do well to concentrate on the early completion of the West. Coast rouie. which would undoubtedly be a paying proposition to the Government. ft would certainly add In the prosperity of X T ew Zealand in general. In discussing the road routes in Hie Ron i h Maud. Mr Macdonald mentioned that he travelled 1500 miles altogether and the only had stretch encountered was between AVaikouaiti and Waitati. As a matter of fact there was not a pot-hole to the mile on the rest of the journey. Tic thought it would be very gratifying if the Motor Club’s scheme of reconstruction was suceessfuly carried out. Then (he reproach to our cities would ho removed.