LEVIN-MARTON DEVIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2786, 18 September 1924, Page 2

LEVIN-MARTON DEVIATION.

MOVEMENT RESUSCITATED. Tn furtherance of a resolution passed at (lie ln~t meeting of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce, a meeting of representatives of nil local bodies interested in the Levin - Marton railway deviation, was held in the Town Hall rftsl room yesterday afternoon. Those present were: Mr Christie, president of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce, (in the chair), Messrs Winstanley, Perreatt. J. Chrystall, \V. Trueman, A. X. Smith K. MeMarray (Foxton), I). \V. Matheson, and Holms (Levin Chamber of Commerce), Crs. Roe and Keedxvdl (Levin Borough Council), F. Hudson and Anderson (IJorowhcnua County Council). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. Linklaler and W. H. Field, Al.’sP., lion. Ed. Newman, Sir James Wilson and A. K. Drew.

Mr Linklater, AI.P., wrote assuring bis active support to any line of action decided on by the conference.

The Hon. Ed. Newman, in a letter to the meeting, stated that be was of opinion that no duplication of the present Manawatu railway' line should he thought of until a proper survey of the shorter route had been made. In the meantime, he would strongly advise the local bodies interested to spare no effort to let the main road from Levin to Marton, through Foxton, he taken over as a main road under the Main Highways Act, if this had not already been done. When good roads are made all the through traffic must follow the direct route.

Air W. 11. Field, ALP., also wrote forwarding the Railway Commission’s report and Hansard, and asking the meeting to particularly note Air J. A. Nash ALP.’s speech in the House. He was fully sympathetic with the object and assured the meeting of his active support. Air Christie, in welcoming the ropiesentntives, pointed out the objects of the meeting. He said that they were present, in furtherance of a resolution passed at the last meeting of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce, to revive a question that had been “banging fire" £or the past forty years. It was a question of gi-i-.-it importance. Any alteration to the existing railways which would ciii onr JO miles, thus saving three hours travelling time, and also eliminating steep grades was worthy of the consideration of any Government. He said that in the past Foxioil bad possessed a Afayor (Air P. Hennessy) who, if he did not gel w!-a! ho wanted from the Govern - in a*, wia' to Wellington and sat on the Alinistf-r's doorstep until that person was tired of the*sight of Kim and gave him what he wanted i.i get rid of him. He was of opinion ; 11211 some Mich drastic step was nei cssarv in tins case. The Government should be asked to allow the Railway Commission to inspect the f..ntc. The local Chamber of Commerce would gladly supply cars for such a purpose. He then asked that t!h' meeting elect their chairman. Air J. Chrystall. was then elected to the chair.

Air Chrystall, in outlining the position, said that the proposed new route was 35 miles in length, six of which were already laid down with railway lines. He estimated the total cost of the proposition, including iwo bridges, costing £IOO,OOO each, at £650,000, that figure being estimated on the highest scale, Mr J. A. Nash, ALP., had been making wild statements in the House as to i lie cost of the deviation, compared with other undertakings. Unfortunately such statements carried weight in the House. He considered the conference had a good case. The meeting should request the Public Works Department to estimate the cost. Mr Holms (president of the Levin Chamber of Commerce) pointed out the necessity of the work and .-aid it was of (National importance. Air Alatheson (Levin) said that it was necessary to get the ratepayers interested in the project before much good could be done. It was then decided unanimously that the Railway League be resuscitated. Continuing, AD Alatheson pointed out the great necessity for propaganda in .connection with the scheme. He considered that £SOO should be raised as a “fighting fund” to be operated on by a committee consisting of representatives of local bodies between Levin and Marton. He was of opinion that a small executive should be set up to formulate a policy covering the whole question, including that of propaganda. They could place no reliability on Hgures that bad been sumitted to previous meetings. A competent man was needed to work the whole matter up. When they had got all the information and money necessary, they should endeavour to get a survey of the route made.

It was decided on the motion of Messrs Matheson and Perreau that a “fighting fund” of £SOO be raised; also that an executive of five members be set up from the meeting to go into the matter. Messrs Chrystall, Christie, Mai heson, Holms and Drew were elee-ic-»l a committee. il was decided on the motion of Messrs Christie and Winstanley, that the first meeting of the executive be held at Poxton., .. . Mr Holms (Levin), said that the conference would do well to adopt a resolution passed by the Levin Chamber of Commerce, in connection with the deviation. He said that Taranaki would also derive benefit from the deviation if it eventuated. A survey was the most important matter at present. Commissions were of no use. The Wai-

rarapa had gone in for surveys with the result that they were further aheud than those on this side of the ranges, who had dabbled with Commissions. It was decided that this conference directs the attention of the Prime Minister and Atinister of Public Works and Railways to the claims advanced from time to time as concerning the ease for carrying out a deviation of the railway between Levin and ALii'ton, thereby substantially reducing the distance Ilf) miles), travelling time and consequently running expenses on the Wellingtun-Auckiaiid and \A el-lington-Wanganui New Plymouth railways in “crossing the triangle” M-rving a fertile area. Tt is intended that the importance of the question warrants a survey being undertaken by the Government and the preparation of a full report including detailed estimate of cost; the present being considered an opportune time for investigation of the possibilities of this national proposal. Mr Chrystall pointed out that economy in the railways was everything. If this scheme was going to save, the department 16 miles of line which meant a saving of £32,000 per annum, or enough to pay interest and sinking fund on £600.000, it was worth cosidering. Mr A. N. Smith endorsed previous speaker’s remarks and was of opinion that a copy of the last resolution should be sent to all local bodies interested. It was decided on the motion of .Messrs Smith and Afatheson that a copy of the above motion be forwarded to all local bodies and to Messrs .T. Linklater, Glenn and Field Al.’sP.

Afr Christie also brought up the question of advertising the scheme in the Auckland Weekly Christmas number, but no action was taken. Air MeAfarray brought up the question of assisting movements for die development of the port, but it was considered outside the scope of the meeting. Air Chrystall thanked the representatives for their attendance and Ihe meeting terminated. An executive meeting was held at (be close of' the conference and it was decided to hold another conference at an earlv date.