THE RAILWAY

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 34, 20 May 1938, Page 2

THE RAILWAY

& TANE ATU A-OPOTI Kl LINK MONEY FOR. COMMENCEMENT '■ '' - ' —— • Jt> ' ■ V • REQUEST FOR AERIAL SURVEY During the course of; lfis address in the Parish Hall , * Wednt 2$ night, the Minister ...grinds, -/the Hon. F. Langstone, announced that the Government bad set aside a sum for the commencement of the railway from Taneatua to Opotiki. During the evening Mr A, G. Hultquist, member for the district, who has been indefatigable in his efforts to secure rail connection - with -. Opotiki. stated that when lie visits Wellington in the course of the next lew days it is his intention to ask that an aerial survey of the country be made so that the best -possible line, which at the same time woujd servo the settlors along the route, could be chosen. Mr Hultquist stated that lie did next say in Whakatane that the line should go nearer Whakatane. it might be possible that the route chosen would be nearer Whakatane than the present railway. Mr Hultquist asked for Mr Laugstone’s support of his request. Ho assured the people of Opotiki that lie would do his best- to get the railway started as soon as possible. He believed he would be member for the district when the railway was completed. In his opening remarks Mr Hultquist explained that when the Government recommenced railway construction they had to tackle the railways which had been closed down. The line to Opotiki was -not one of the first major works. He knew that there would have to be resurvevs owing to the alteration in the curves. TAN EAT UvA-MOTUHOR A SURVEY AN AUCKLAND REQUEST GISBORNE NOT INTERESTED “My executive would like to stress that it was merely asking your chamber’s support in requesting the Government for a survey of the Tan-eatua-Motuhora rail gap and we do not see how a request for a survey

on the part of your chamber can possibly prejudice the completion ol the gap on the Gisborne-Napier railway,” stated the secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Mr El. P. Neale, in a letter received yesterday afternoon at the May meeting of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce.

“The initiation of a survey is necessary many months before construction takes place,” continues the letter. “However, we take it that we can have your support in the matter of asking for a survey as soon as your railway to Napier is completed.”

Air C. Tilleard Nutusch said that a survey was carried out some years ago, but that an improved route was sought. Mr T. Corson: It would he better to. leave it alone. Lot them go aliead. It was decided to defer the matter in the meantime.—P.H. Herald.