The Opotiki News Monday, August 13, 1938. RAILWAY TO OPOTIKI

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 70, 15 August 1938, Page 2

The Opotiki News Monday, August 13, 1938. RAILWAY TO OPOTIKI

The lone fight by the Opotiki district to secure direction rail connection has non; apparently concluded, as word was received at the beginning of last week by the “Opotiki News” that the railway from Taneatua to Opotiki was to be brought through the Waimana. Gorge, and confirmed later in the week by letters forwarded by Mr A. G. Hultquist, the member for the Bay of Plenty, who has been most assiduous in liis efforts to have a start made with the railway extension. For many years Opotiki fought for the Bay. of Plenty line and as other districts secured connection they withdrew their support of further extension, until in recent years the Opotiki district had to fight its own battle. Even then, during the last two years, a number of keen Opotiki supporters ceased to take an active partin the agitation for rail connection, owing to political reasons, and it was finally left to a few to keep up what has proved to he a winning fight.

Until the announcement by the Hon. R.. Semple. Minister of Public Works, many people in Opotiki considered that the re-survey of the line would again mean nothing and that Opotiki would he lucky if it ever had direct rail connection. All doubts have now been put oil one side by. the statement that actual construction on the line will commence in the near future, and it is hoped that in a lew months time work will be in full swing. The report only a few weeks ago that a route was being surveyed along the coast was received with amazement in Opotiki as such a route had not ever been considered in this district owing to such a line passing through “barren country”. It is quite clear that the coastal idea originated in Wlia kata lie, which made a last desperate attempt to have the line j)ut through near that town in the event of the railway being extended. As was .only to be expected such a route was found to be inadvisable for more than one reason. The decision to continue the line from Taneatua through the Wainuma district has also been received with considerable satisfaction in those districts.

A question of considerable importance to tlie inland district is what is to become of the main highway as it appears to be inevitable that a new road will have to be constructed. The proposed coastal road would be of little value to Waimana and Nukuhou districts, which are entitled to the shortest route to the Whakatane district and also Rotorua.

It appears to be almost certain that a new road will have to be made on the opposite side of the A\ aiinana Gorge and such a road would be a big improvement over the present highway which is shaded for practically the whole year and has a wet and dangerous surface. Desperate attempts are now being made by Whakatane to have the main highway built along the coast but the general opinion in Opotiki is that such a road is too ridiculous for words owing to the tremendous expenditure that would be involved in building the huge harbour bridge and the protective works that would be necessary. The bridge would have to he built almost on the coast and both sides of the harbour mouth have been subject to extensive erosion at all times. The necessary protective works would cost a very large sum and the bridge would have to he built to allow free passage of shipping to the harbour. It has been suggested that such a highway would be of great military value, but this is eontraryi to all modern military methods, the object now being to put strategic military roads some distance back from the coast. The proposed harbour bridge would be an easy target for naval and aerial attack and the road could be easily rendered useless without much trouble. The coastal route would also have disadvantages from an earthquake point of view, as a hard highway over such soft and sandy country would break up badly in the. event of a very heavy shake being experienced, while the bridge also would be liable to fare badly in the event of such a happening. From a scenic point of view such a road would have no advantages as tourists will have plenty of coastal views with the present liigliAvay and the beautiful scenery of the Waimana Gorge would be omitted. The proposed coastal route would certainly he of benefit for direct traffic but at the present time this traffic is very small and an inland route would

always have the heaviest traffic as it passes through closely settled country, the residents of .which travel either to Opotiki or Whakataiie to do their business. When the Wainui route was suggested previously to the Government it was roundly condemned by the Minister .of Public Works, who stated he would not “spend sixpence on such a road.” Most people in Qpotiki are of the opinion that should the Hon. R. Semple inspect the proposed harbour bridge site lie would use the same words again. The very strong current at the entrance to the Oliiwa harbour, in addition to the strong surge from the open sea would make the sinking of the cylinders for the harbour bridge a difficult piece of work.

Whatever the decision may he in connection with a permanent highway the fact cannot he overlooked that the land districts wjll be entitled, to proper road access and it would appear to be foolish to build two roads when one road' will serve the extensive Waimana, Nukuhou, Kutarere and Waiotahi districts.