THE PALMERSTON RAILWAY DEVIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2200, 9 November 1920, Page 3

THE PALMERSTON RAILWAY DEVIATION.

The first reading of a Railways Authorisation Bill was taken in the House on Saturday, and carried after one or two local members had aired local grievances. The Bill describes the proposed deviation in the neighbourhood of Palmerston North as follows; — (1) A deviation leaving the existing line at about 83 miles 55 chains on the railway chainage, and funning generally on the northwestward of the existing lino to a junction therewith at about 91 miles 37 chains on the said chainage, a length of about 0 miles 66 ( bains. (2) A deviation leaving the proposed deviation of the Welling-ton-New Plymouth (Palmerston North deviation) at about 6 miles 5 chains on (lie chainage of the said proposed deviation, and running generally to the north-westward of lhe, existing line to a junct’.on therewith at about 4 miles 22 chains on the railway chainage, a long h of abont 2 miles 37 chains.

AIR. FIELD'S PROTEST

PRIME MINISTER'S PROMISE

When the Railway Authorisation Bill was read a second lime in the House yesterday, Mr W. 11. Field expressed surprise at the inclusion of the Palmerston deviation works. He had been under the impression that nothing would he done until the Minister of Public Works and the Prime Minister had gone over the route of the Levin-Grcatford deviation. It placed him in a false position with his constituents. Mr Massey said he must emphatically contradict any suggestion that he had made a promise, beyond that he would go over the ground. He had been informed that it would he impossible to start work between now ami next session, but it was necessary to get legislative sanction. The work would not lie started before lie and the Minister of Public Murks had gone over the ground (o see what was contemplated at Palmerston. These works were only second in importance to (iiose at Lyttelton, ns (he most urgent railway works in New Zealand. This was Mill iley’s opinion.—Mr Field. “He did not advise this deviation. Mi Massey: “He advised that improvements were very urgent.’’ The Premier added that it he and his colleague came to the conclusion that the work should not he done, it would not he stalled.

The Bill passed its third reading

BOROUGH COPNCiL’B PROTEST

MAYOR SAYS DISTINCT , BREACH OF FAITH.

At rho conclusion of last night's Council meetiii;;' i'ic Mayor referred Id the Railways Authorisation Bill jnsl passed by the House, the railwavs authorised including the Palmerston North deviation. lie said that when the deputation in connection Av-itli the Lcviu-Oreailord proposal wailed on the Prime .Minister he definitely promised that nothing would, be done in connection with the Palmerston deviation until he had gone over the route proposed for (lie hevin-t Iren I lord line. \et in spile of this promise ihe Anlhori-.-ntion Bill had been put through, lie looked upon I hi- as a distinct breach of faith. The Council should -cod 'down ati .emphatic protest again A what had been done, and also should protest against the wasteful expenditure at Palmerston North, which would result in enriching n"few laud agents and speculators. The following motion, moved hy the Mayor and seconded hy (T. Bryant, was carried unanimously.' —“Thai an emphatic protest he forwarded to the Prune Minister against allowing the Railway Authorisation Bill to he put through in spite, of his promise to the deputation that nothing would be done until lie had inspected the proposed route of the Levin-Greatl'ord deviation, and, also, eiders ils emphatic protest against (he extravagant waste of public 1 money in sanctioning the alteration now proposed at Palmerston North.”