THE "SLOW" NORTH

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 13 January 1916, Page 2

THE "SLOW" NORTH

POOR NORTH—ROADLESS NORTH

NOT IN IT

It may be that we of the North have passed through the transitory stage of being " poor " and " roadless," and are now in a state of " prosperity," but what about the pace ? As slow as a funeral or at a snail's crawl? and therefore no credit to anyone, and the Government, especially the Public Works Department, is no credit to us. All through the piece the Government has neglected the North in every N phase of their Public Works policy, because when borrowed millions were in plenty votes for roads, bridges, and railways were doled out parsimoniously, and now, when money is decidedly tight, the North gets but little recognition, while other parts of the Island are stiil being well looked after.

The other day, the Hon. Mr Herries, in his capacity as Minister for Railways, paid a flying visit all along the line from Auckland to Ranganui (Otaraatea), and . though few knew of his movements, several deputations managed to interview him upon various important matters, one in particular being the^ speeding up of our trains, which have been known as the

laughing stock of the. North Island for years past.

When the, Minister:.was at Wellsford Mr J. Shepherd waited upon him, on behalf of the settlers at Port Albert, with a request for improved railway connection with Auckland. It was asked that the North Auckland train . wnich twice weekly runs as an express from its present terminus as far as Helensville, and thence becomes a slow train into Auckland, being connected up with the Helensville express to the city, which leaves about three-quarters of an hour before the arrival of the North Auckland train at Helensville. The Minister said it was proposed, as soon as the line was opened to Maungaturoto, to recast the railway service, and arrangements were in progress for running a through express from Maungaturoto to Auckland. The representations made by Mr Shepherd would receive full consideration in this connection.

" When the line is opened to Maungaturoto," forsooth ! What arrant humbug. The line could be opened to-day, only that the idea of-saving by ''crawling.and delaying" means less expenditure for North and more in favoured districts. The Minister opines the line will be opened before the coming winter sets in. From Kaiwaka to Maungaturoto has been made a longer journey than that to Tipperary by about two years; and the settlers up that way have had a hard raw to hoe, through the mud and mire-land during winter time, keeping the whole district for miles and miles around in a state of " slowness." But let us hope for the best, and that even Hon. Mr Herries, to whom we extend a " Happy New Year," will wake-up, as Mr Jas. McLeod likewise desires our Town Board to do.