PAEROA-POKENO RAILWAY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4408, 1 May 1922, Page 2

PAEROA-POKENO RAILWAY

CONSTRUCTION ADVOCATED.

OTHER LINES FIRST.

MINISTER’S DEFINITE STATEMENT.

The construction ’of the Paeroa,Pokeno railway was urged upbn the Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates), as follows, by the Paeroa Borough Council (Mr P. E. Brenan, Mayor)* and supported by the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce (Mr E. W. Porritt, president) :

“You will realise from your somewhat limited survey, of the country that this line wi'l.l open up what is probably the richest land in the Dominion, and a large. proportion or which is now the property ofj th? State. Representations have been made 4o you on your trip urging the closing of the Waihi-Tauranga gap and we realise the justice and urgency of these representations. Ws would, however, point out. that with the closing of this gap must also come the completion of the PaeroaPoke.ro railway. - “At the present time that portion of tbs railways from Frankton to Auckland is very congested with traffic, and to add to this congestion the East Coast traffic would make that portion of the line unworkable unless duplication be resorted to. The Paeroa Pokeno line would relieve t'he Franktori-Pokeno section, which is the most difficult for duplication, free of; such a necessity, and we feel that the only logical conclusion is that the Paeroa-Pokerio line should ie completed contemporaneously with (or as nearly so as possible) the Waihi-Taurpnga section. “In connection with the East Coast railway we thoroughly endorse the action of other local Jodies in urging the completion of the Waihi-Tauranga gap, which when completed will link up Tauranga with the main North IM and railway system and open up rich country on the East Coast." AN IMPORTANT LIND. The railway, the Minister replied, was important from both district and national points of view.. Traffic would be considerable between Paeroa and Frankton Junction when the East Coast line was through from Opotiki. Mr Poland may not agree with all he (the Minister) said or did, but he could not help that. He had only a limited amount Of money, and there was the question of. method as to which line should be proceeded with. He was only a trustee pfi the funds at his disposal. The East Cpasline was being constructed as rapidly as po’ s-sible between Tauranga and Taneatua. The layout there was completed. there were only two large cuttings. It was sound policy to junction up all 'lines as rapidly as possible. He did not wish to cast any reflection on his, predecessors, who had done their best, but he had many lines to complete. It would not be economical to go on with the WaihiTaneatua stretch yet. The expenditure would have to be doubled if the Waihi-Taneatua stretch was taken up.. There were other lines in New Zealand which were being constructed.. The line from The Mount to Athenree would be rapidly constructed. The East Coast main trunk line was a most important one L The outlay was £900,000'. ■ But £250,000 was wanted to finish the North Auckland railway, to connect with the 121 miles of railway. so that North Auckland at, pressent was a more economical proppsisent than spending nearly a million on the East Coast one first. The completion of North Auckland Otira would release many experienced men for other works, and- also plant and equipment. He did not intend to complete the East Coast line until certain other nearer completion wer? finished. The unemployment question had destroyed 'concentration to some extent, as it was-npt feasible tp transport men from the south pf New Zealand to the north, so that the Roxbo rough and five or six others were being gone on with to provide work for men living within reasonable distance of large centres of population. The Otira, the North Auckland, and the East Coast lines were the three important lines t'he Government had in hand now. He believed, in concentration and getting lines completed instead of dissipating energy. When some of the important lines were out of hand men and machinery (would be transferred to the Eas.t Coast line ; this would probably be in a year's time, , He could not hold out much hope in regard to the Paeroa-Pokeno line at present, for the reasons already mentioned, that other lines must oe completed firs*. He looked upon the office of Minister of Public Works as a trusteeship, with which no political considerations could be allowed to interfere. (Applause.) Disconnected lines were of no use to New Zealand. METAL FOR PLAINS. Mr S, J. Laughlin said it was now costing 26s per yard to get meta! on the Plains roads, and the cartage cut up the roads. Nothing but a railway would solve ■the problem. Metal could come from Karangahake and Miranda, The settlers were asking only for a railway through the Plains land. Railway debentures would ba eagerly taken up by the public, which would dispose of the bogey of finance. JUNCTION QUESTION.

Mr Porritt, on behalf of the executive committee of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce, brought forward the suggestion that the crossing of the proposed Paeroa-Pokeno line be near the Mill Road, on similar lines to those put before the Minister, o'! Lands, and published in t’he “Gazette” recently.

The Mayor (Mr P. E. Brenan) said the proposed alteration of the position of the junction had not been discussed by the public on the Council, and he 'hoped the Minister would give the citizens an opportunity to express their opinions on the matter before any definite steps were taken.

The Minister promised to get a survey made, and the proposal reported upon.

Mr Poland thanked the Minister for his courteous receipt of the varL ous deputations. The results of the

tour, he believed., would be very beneficial to the district. He feared that the Minister did not appregiate the fact that the Paeroa-Pokeno railway should go on before -the completion of the Tauranga section. Eight years ago Mr W.. H. Herries (now Sir W. Harries, K.0.M.G.) had stated that the present Paeroa-iFrankton-Auck-land line could never carry the East . Coast traffic. Replying further, Mr Coates said he did not make frothy promises. More work and fewer promises was needed. He would ascertain whether the present railway could carry the traffic. The construction *of the line south was of first importance, with all dvr- respect to Sir Wm. Herries and Mr Poland. Shortage of money was the trouble. The plant was too small', even though £400,000 had been spent during.the past year on plant. The Department had the men, who-— could do the Work, but had not the money. He congratulated the deputations on the very businesslike way in which the representations were put ferward, with written records cf everything.