Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1923 THE PALMERSTON RAILWAY DEVIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2627, 1 September 1923, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1923 THE PALMERSTON RAILWAY DEVIATION.

NO mention was made in the Public Works Estimates of the Palmerston railway deviation. This fact, in view of the finding of the Commission, which favoured the deviation, will come as a disappointment to a large section of the Palmerston public—and more particularly to those with vested interests in the vicinity of the deviation. That something must be done, however, to relieve the congested condition of things at the Palmerston railway station is recognised by all concerned. For some unexplained reason, Mr Hi ley’s scheme for relieving congestion was abandoned for a deviation, the necessity for which from a national point of view and, despite the Commission’s finding, could not be justified. That the Minister for Public Works realises this fact, is apparent bv its non-in-clusion in the Estimates, or the policy laid down for the next two years. The solution for the relief of much of the congestion at Palmerston is the linking up of the main trunk line between Morton and Levin, the cost of which would entail very little more than the Palmerston deviation, to say nothing of the economy effected in reducing the distance between Auckland and Wellington by lfi miles, and obviating heavy grades and sharp curves. It is foolish to compare the Palmerston deviation and the linking up 'of the main trunk line between Merton and Levin from a national point of view, and despite all previous agitation, the prospects of the Palmerston deviation seems further off to-day than ever.