AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON

Patea Mail, 15 April 1882, Page 3

AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON

RAILWAY.

Discussing the probabilities of a new loan and how it should be spent, as re gards North Island railways, the Auckland Herald say:—ln 1874, Mr Carruthers, then Engiueer-in-Cbicf,, made an exploration for a trunk line, and furnished a report. In this he sets forth four routes—the first by the river Mokau and the West Coast; the second, an inland route, joining the mountain line at the back of Mount Egmont, above Hawera; the third by western side of Taupo, joining the Wellington system at the Manawatn Gorge; the fourth, by the eastern side of Taupo and Murimotu to Marton, The conclusion of the report is as follows: “It may be stated firstly, that a railway might be constructed via the Waikato and Turakina rivers, by which the northern and southern railway systems of the North Island would be joined at a not unreasonable average cost per mile, although it would bo unfavorable for working, on account of the height of the summit level and the steep gradients which would be required. Secondly, that if the country on the West Coast were open for survey, a ranch better line would in all probability be found either by the Mokau river or by the level country supposed to exist between- the Whanganui river and the Taranaki coast. This line would require about a hundred miles less of new railways beyond that which it is intended in any case to construct than the Waikato line, and would lessen the distance between Wellington and Auckland by about thirty miles.” It is obviously therefore a necessity, if the line of the railway between Auckland and the South is to be affirmed during next session, that some kind of a survey should be obtained, so as to settle the question whether a connection by the west can be obtained. Ultimately, no doubt, two lines will be made, one by the west connecting with Taranaki and the Waimate Plains; while another, connecting with Rotorua, will reach the country in the northern part of Hawke’s Bay. It will be the duty of our members thoroughly to consider this subject, and to be prepared to act unitedly when the House meets.