LEVIN-MARTON DEVIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2211, 4 December 1920, Page 2

LEVIN-MARTON DEVIATION.

Air F. W. Kensington, Alayor of Marton, submitted the following reasons in support of iho LcvinMiirlon railway to tlie* Prime Alinisler and Minister for Public Works, at Great ford on Wednesday: — EIGHT REASONS!

“1. That the proposed railway line will shorten the journey from Wellington to Auckland, Wanganui and Now Plymouth, and places on route, some IT miles. “2. Thai the line 'as proposed will pass through a thriving district well populated, and also give access to the seaport of Poxton, which is a growing port.

“3. That the proposed line will pass, through practically level country on a fairly level grade (see Mr Jas. AlcKcrrow’s report in IBtlti). “4. That'the prescnl course of the Alain Trunk- railway pas Mug through Palmerston North cover-- a distance of 57 miles between Levin and .Marlon, whdst the proposed line will certainly not he more than 40 miles between the same points; that, out of the 40 miles referred to some 82 miles require construction, as some six miles of (lie present Eoxhm railway would he utilised, and some two miles of the present Great ford-Marlon portion of constructed railway would he utilised, and in addition to this it might he useful to absorb portion of the f'oxl on-Sanson tramline.

“5. Thai the'cosl of the proposed Levin-Great ford or Marion railway would not, at I lit* outside, cost more than £12,000 per mile, including bridges, or a total of £BS4.ftllo.

“0. Thiil the North Island is going to carry in the early future :i very large popnhilion, and that the. cry will he insistent. for cpiicker communication and more frequent (rains. The present' railway from Wellington northwards will require duplication to carry the ever-incre-asing Irallic, and this wilt apply to e-nods traffic as much as passengers. The format ion of the Levin-Grefll-ford direct railway would enable ‘all through’ running' goods i rains vo lie quickly dealt with, and relieve the line Levin-Paliuer.ston North of the through t rathe which causes such heavy congestion at the present time.

“7. Thai I lie deputation does not look upon the proposed railway .from any other standpoint Ilian that of a national one. The merely parochial question as to whether any particular town is-benefited or apparently injured should not he allowed to enter the question of railway construction when the .Main Trunk line.of communication are being dealt will).

“S, That your deputation' wishes to place on record I hat it has every wish that the congestion now found to exmt at I’aliueiMou should he (irmly dealt with, hut not to Ihe detriment of national railway communication throughout the North Island.''