LEVIN-MARTON DEVIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2821, 9 December 1924, Page 3

LEVIN-MARTON DEVIATION.

FURTHER EVIDENCE IN • SUPPORT. After Mr Chrystall had read the League’s evidence in support of the linking up of the Main Trunk line between Marten and Levin, before the Railway Commissioners at Levin on Saturday, Mr R. W. Holmes, late Chief Engineer to the Public Works Department, submitted *a statement. MR, R, W. HOLMES’ STATEMENT Mr Holmes stated that his findings were based upon a knowledge of the district extending over 50 years, and in considering the proposal he had dealt mainly with the financial aspect. The country through which, the proposed line was intended to pass was at the present time sparsely populated, but the speaker was assured that this would increase largely if the project were carried out.

One of the points which had been raised at the commission in 1921 was that olf the Palmerston N. station yard, and he proposed that the line should be lowered below the level of the street and bridges placed across, the estimated cost of this work being £240,000. A marshalling yard could be constructed at Terrace End at a cost of £IOO,OOO. The estimate of the speaker for the deviation was £530,000, which if both were carried out, would bring the total expenditure up to £870,000. The estimated cost of the Palmerston N. deviation in 1921 had been £700,000 and Mr Holmes contended that the expenditure of £530000 for the Levin route, and £IOO,000 for the marshalling yard at Terrace End (which he considered were all that were necessary), would save £70,000 on the 1921 estimate of the Palmerston N. deviation. Should the Palmerston N. borough at a future date desire to lay tramrails, the speaker thought the difficulty of the level crossings could be obviated in a manner similar to that adopted in Christchurch, but at the same time he did not think that any local body in the Dominion would lay any more train lines in view of the increased motor traffic on the roads.

Sir Sam Pay: Will the sinking of the line at Palmerston N. get rid of the level crossings?—Yes; I propose to sink the line 16 feet at a cost of £240.000, including all the necessary reconstruction. The ground is easily accessible for construction work. Is there no fear of flooding?— The ballast pit at Palmerston N. never floods, and that is below the level of the river. In respect to the grades, Mr Holmes said this matter could be easily an*anged though some provision would have to be made for stormwater passing beneath the line. The railway would be under the town. In reply to a further question by Sir Sam, Mr Holmes said: By thfc construction of the link from Levin to Marlon, I consider that the Palmerston N. railway station would be reduced to one of secondary importance, for the goods passing between the east and west coasts would not pass through there. It would all be collected at the-marshall-ing. yard at Terrace End, and the extra distance of line would be saved for the transport. Only local traffic would pass through Palmerston N. Sir Sam: I would like to know if there are any Palmerston N. representatives here? .Mr Chrystall: I understand that you will be hearing evidecne later from that quarter. We are interested purely in the construction of the Levin link line, and are here to show you its advantages over the Palmerston N. deviation. In response to a question by Sir Vincent Raven, Mr Chrystall said if the link line was constructed this would not necessitate the duplication of the main line to Palmerston N. but at the pi-esent rate of growth. something in that direction would be necessary if the deviation was not carried from Levin to Marton. Sir Sam Pay: We are told that in Palmerston N. and district there is a population of anything up to 40,000. Mr. Chrystall: That is greatly exaggerated —unless of course, you can produce figures to substantiate it. Sir Sam: Will yon contest that statement?—Yes, I will question it until we have looked into it. Sir Sam: Your deviation would put Palmerston X. on a branch line ? —By the time the scheme is completed there will be sufficient ti'affic to ran'a through .service on both lines. We propose that the second Auckland express should go through Palmerston N. and pick passengers from that district. By dividing the traffic into halves, we would show a saving in train mileage.

Sir Vincent Raven: Do you understand how the train mileage is estimated. Mr Holmes: We have debited theseheme with maintenance^costs. Sir Sam Fay: It is obvious that the route is a more direct one than the present one, according to the maps. Mr Matheson: We will look into the matter of the Palmerston North district population. Sir Sam: It does not matter. They have a considerable population. Mr Matheson: But it is the-.-trav-elling public of the Dominion we are endeavouring to serve. In further outlining his proposals, Mr Holmes stated that the business premises in Palmerston N. would not be effected by the diversion of the line, neither would the value, of properties there deteriorate. “Tile Public Works estimate,” he Stated, “is much higher than this,

which is accounted for by the officers not knowing’ how the work would be carried out and therefore, having to be careful to not under estimate.” “The total cost will therefore be': Lowering P.N. station £240,000 Constructing marshalling yard £IOO,OOO Levin-Marton link line £530,000 Total £870,000 The estimated cost of the proposed deviation at Palmerston N. is £700,000 and additional cost would be £170,000. “As set-otf against the additional cost there are:— 1. Lowering Palmerston N. station may be deferred indefinitely. 2. A new line of railway will be provided. 3. No disturbance of business and other interests. 4. The possibility of abandoning the existing piece of line between Himatangi and Longburn. Therefore the immediate expenditure will be: Link line £530,000; Marshalling yard £100,000; total £630,000.” Mr Holmes sfressed the national saving which he considered would be effected as a result of the link line to Marton, and declared that no grades more serious than one in 100 would be necessary, while between Palmerston N. .and Marton at the present time, some of the giades approximated 1 in 52, which could not be improved without a relocation of the line. / The Commissioners were then motored over the proposed route. Upon arrival at Marton the Commissioners were met at the station by the Mayor, M’ P. Purnell, Mr W. H Glenn, M.P., and Mr A. G. Simpson, chairman of the Rangitikei County Council as well as others interested in local affairs there. The Mayor briefly welcomed the Commissioners, and hoped for a fruitfl\l deliberation of the evidence which had been adduced on behalf of the link line, which had been under consideration for 20 years. In any case, he felt assured that the Dominion would benefit by the visit of the Commissioners.

Mr Glenn joined in the welcome and wished the undertakings of the visitors success. He hoped that after the visit the railways would be made better than they had been in the past. Sir Sam Fay, in reply, expressed the hope that the results of their deliberations would equal the expectations of the people of the Dominion. The reception here had been typical of that received in other parts of the Dominion, and much assistance had been tendered in the wav of evidence.

Sir Vincent Raven referred to the beauties which he had observed throughout the Dominion, and stressed the development which had been made during 1 bet past few years —a truly wonderful performance for q country with such a small population. The hospitality was never ending, and he thanked the speakers for their welcome. WHY PALMERSTON N. WAS NOT • REPRESENTED. It was arranged that Palmerston N. delegates were to be present at Levin and submit evidence in support of the Palmerston N. deviation but the secretary to the Commission forwarded the following letter: “I am directed by the Royal Commissioners to state that they are fully seized with the importance of this matter and that, having had the advantage of perusing the evidence given before previous Commissioners and of visiting Palmerston N. they feel that no advantage would be gained by receiving a deputation on the subject.”