THE RAILWAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1931, Page 3

THE RAILWAYS

THE BOARD’S REPORT STOPPAGE OF WORK RECOMMENDED. ON MAIN SOUTH ISLAND TRUNK. WESTPORT-INANGAHUA-.KAWATIRI. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 10. The immediate cessation of work on the South Island Main Trunk, NapierGisborne line and Kawatiri-lnangahua line is recommended in the report of the Railways Board presented to the House of Representatives this afternoon by the Minister of Railways. The Board also reviewed the lineo on which construction was stopped in December last and recommends that the Westport-lnangahua, Waiotira-Dar-ga'ville, OkaihairtHaugiahuli lines be not proceeded with. SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK. Reviewing the South island Main Trunk line, the Board considered tliere was no advantage in the time factor regarding the transport of goods would accrue, in view of the present sea service to Lyttelton. Also, the cost of haulage would lie greater than by sea. The Board considered even with a train ferry, the cost would not lie in favour of the rail route.

Its conclusion regarding the possibility of a substantial development of live stock traffic from Marlborough was that the traffic was not at all likely to he heavy. Regarding passenger business it did not appear to the Board that there would be any advantage to the railway against the sea in the way of comfort and speed, and the advantage of cost would certainly he with the present so a

rou,te. The Board stated it had reviewed the Clifford Bay proposal and considered :in view of the expenditure involved j that it would not be warranted, and I would afford no justification for the completion of the railway. “The conclusion of the Board is that the completion of the railway line is not justified, and the work thereon should he stopped.” The Board has reached this conclusion with careful regal'd to its obligation in its administration of tile New Zealand Railway system, and has not overlooked the question of service to the public and industrial development of the country. If th e Board could have found in course of examination of the problem, that the immediate deficiency in operating results, might within a time, not too remote,.have been converted into a more favourable result thromrh the development of trade and industry, it would have been well disposed, to recommend the completion of the line. The Board has, however, been compelled to conclude that neither the . immediate nor remote prqspeet is sufficiently encouraging to justify the expenditure that would he involved.

NAPIER-G IS BORNE. Dealing with the Nnpier-Gisboriiu lino tho Board expressed the opinion that the total capital cost would bo ; £4.927,505. The estimated annual loss if the line were completed would he £195,037. KAWATJR I- IN A NG A HUA. It was estimated to complete the Kawatiri-lnangahua line would cost £1,597,000.' The Board was not impressed with the prospects of goods traffic, because of the long haulage making traffic, relatively expensive to work, by reason of its long one way business. Goal traffic to Nelson did not call for the construction of the railway and the development scope of the line nias 1 i m i ted. WESTPORT- IN ANGAHUA. The ' Board's estimate of the expenditure to complete the,. Westport-Inanga-liua line is £450.000, the total cost being £37,577, per mile. An increase in passenger traffic was problematic'll and the Board was of opinion that the great bulk of passenger traffic between Westport and Greymouth would continue to go by the road route. Concerning goods traffic, the indications were that the coal traffic would be largely confined to screened coal for stations in Canterbury. Other classes of coal from the present mines were not likely to be diverted to the railway to any substantial extent. Live stock traffic would be limited and it was difficult to forecast to what extent general merchandise now coming to Westport by sea. would he diverted to the railway. The Board was of the opinion that if the line returned any net revenue at all on ope Dating., tho amount would fall far short of tho interest eharg s. NORTH ISLAND LINES. Tn dealing with Waiotero-Dargavill > line, the Board was of the opinion that the high cost of construction was out of ail proportion to the traffic possibilities of the district. Tn condemning the Okaihan-Rangi-aliua line, the Board saw no reason for concluding that tbe extension of tho line would decrease the operating loss, and on the other band D’e burden of interest charges would be, very . substantially increased, I

MR HOLLAND’S COMMENT. WELLINGTON, September 10. “The Railway Board has gone mad I” commented Mr 11. E. Holland, when the Board’s report was tablet! by .Ur Veiteh in the House to-day. WHAT STOPPAGE MEANS. WELLINGTON, September 10.'' The cost of completing lines deal! with in the Railway Board’s report was given as follows; £ Wharanui-iParnassus 2.242,261 XapL r-Gisborne 1.326,665 Kawatiri-lnangahua 1,597,000 Westn n rt- T uan<iahua 450,000 Waiotira-Dargaville 46,000 Okaihau-Rangiahua 60.00 Total £5,921,924