THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 408, 9 July 1908, Page 3

THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Looping Levln-Foxton-Greatford Route. We reproduce the following article from our Eevin contemporary : “Tike a ‘hardy annual,’ the agitation for a deviation of the Main Trunk Eine from Eevin to Oreatford is raised every year when Pailianient meets.” So says the Manawatu Standard. We like the term ‘‘hardy annual,” and the fact that the agitation for a deviation of the Main Trunk Eine from Eevin to Greatford comes up every year before Parliament, shows that the supporters of the project mean to win. In March last, the New Zealand Times spoke in favour of the deviation. Immediately the Manawatu Daily Times spent a column of its space trying to show what an enormous expense such a line would mean, and urged Palmerston and Feeding residents to be ‘‘particularly watchful.” Here lies the secret of opposition on the part of the Palmerston papers—they fear that their town will be side-tracked if the journey between Wellington and Auckland by rail goes by way of Levin through the seaport of Foxton and on to Greattord. But they will find that every township betvv 'ii Auckland and Wellington, apart from Palmerston and Feildiug, will yet agitate for quicker communication, which also means less expense in travelling, and an enormous saving in wear and tear upon railway material. The Palmerston papers admit that a line of forty miles between Eevin and Greattord would mean a saving of ‘‘seventeen miles,” but the Times tries to frighten the unthinking with the bogies of swamps to be crossed and big bridges to be built, and insinuates that it would enable Mr McKelvie and Mr J. G. Wilson to cut up their properties to advantage. Then we are told that the present county tramway between Foxton and the Rangitikei river—which is the proper line for the’ Main Trunk—does not pay, and only runs on certain days of the week. Fancy the editor of the Times putting forth such a silly argument as this, that because this (ram line does not pay, the Main Trunk Line should not run that way. It makes one laugh. Then the Standard, after telling the promoters of this line that their cause is hopeless, urges them to improve the existing tramway and its extension to tne Foxton beach and Eevin, and says‘‘the line could be made the efficient servant of a rich and fertile district.” Exactly; and because of its richness and fertility and, we may add, because of its seaport, the Main Trunk Line would lose nothing by running through it. ‘‘Palmerston cannot be side-tracked,” says the Manawatu Times, without sidetracking also all the East CoastHawke’s Bay and the Wairarapa. What are they at the present time but side tracks to Palmerston ?.. And what is to hinder the trains that now bring their passengers into Palmerston running on to Greatford, and picking up Palmerston passengers eu route? It seems to us that the public convenience in shortening the journey, saving at least 15 miles in fares, and lessening the wear and tear on rolling stock day after day, are nothing compared to the gain that Palmerston selfishly seeks. It is nothing but selfishness from first to last. The distance between Eevin and Greatford is 40 miles. The land between Levin and Foxton is level, and would not cost a great deal to construct for railway purposes. From Foxton to the Rangitikei river a tramway was laid years ago by the Manawatu County Council, and engine, carriages and trucks are continually running, so that all that is required is the laying of heavier rails. The river would have to be bridged. Then on to Greatford there are no engineering difficulties. The constructing of the line right through and the erection of a bridge over the Rangitikei river will cost, say, ,£25,000, or even ,£50,000. Once open for traffic, would not the saving in time, fares, and wear and tear over the sixteen miles pay the interest over and over again on the outlay ? Is it to be supposed that where the convenience of the people of the Dominion from Auckland to Invercargill is concerned and such a crooked line as the present one by way of Palmerston North will be tolerated for any length of time now that the Government is about to assume control of the Main Trunk Line ? We think not, that this “hardy annual ” is now before Parliament again. Mr Field is to ask the Minister for Public Works “ whether, now that the North Island Main Trunk Line is approaching completion, and the Wellington and Manawatu Railway is about to become State property, he will give a place in the schedule to the Railways Authorisation Bill this session to the Eevin-Foxton-Greatford deviation of the Main Trunk Line, the construction of which will save about sixteen miles in the distance and an hour in the time between Wellington and Auckland.” We would like to see a resolution passed at to-night’s meeting of the Eevin Borough Council upholding the hands of our member ; and if we gain nothing this session—which can hardly be expected—we hope when the new Parliament meets the question will come up again. A line from Levin to Foxton and on to Greatford will open up, as the Standard says, “ a rich and fertile district,” and enormously increase the business of the port of Foxton, besides being a boon to every person

travelling between Wellington and Auckland.” —To all of which we say Amen !