HUNUA-PAPARIMU RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 27, 4 September 1912, Page 2

HUNUA-PAPARIMU RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Hunua Route Proposal. | The proposal to construct a railway from Paeroa, to connect with the main trunk line at somo point between Pokono and Auckland, is still being actively canvassed in the Ilunua district. The Hunua route is an alternative suggestion to the Paeroa-Po-keno proposal. If taken from Paeroa through Ilunua and functioning with Manurewa tho estimated distance is 60 miles; the proposed route Manu rewa via Pokeno is 69 miles. The Hunua route contemplates following the projected Pokeno line to within eight miles of Pokeno, and diverting from that point (instead of going to Pokeno) through Hunua. Whether the line should proceed thence to Manurewa, or go by way of Clevedon or Howick to Auckland by a new set of rails, opening up fresh country, is a point which the Hunua district people appear quite disposed to leave to the Government. A potition promoted by tho Hunua and Paparimu Railway League bus already been signed by some 200 settlers of Ilunua, Arariinu, Paparimu, Ponga, and Moumoukai. This petition urges the desirability of bringing the proposed Paeroa-Auck-land lino through Paparimu, Hunua and Clevedon valleys, joining tho main trunk line at Manurewa. The petition states:—" This route has three very important objects to serve: (1) It will open up ami assist in developing fresh country that at present is in a very disadvantageous position for means of communication ; (2) It will relieve the main trunk line; (3) It will shorten the distance approximately about 12 miles (as compared with the Pokeno connection.) The petitioners add :—" We some time ago offered to employ an engineer to ascertain the possible grade but your Department informed us they would undertake this work. The Minister for Public Works asked us to suggest tho alternate routo. This wo did but nothing further has been done by your Department. Wo, therefore, very respectfully ask that you authorise and instruct that a thorough and exhaustive survey of the route be made before committing to any other route."

In August, 1910, tho then Prime Minister submitted to the House estimates of the cost of construction of various lines, as follows :

Papakura-Clevedou-Maungatawhiri, 40 miles, £350,000. Paeroa-Pokeno, 40 miles, £280,000, Paeroa - Manurowa, 60 miles £420,000. League's Annual Meeting.

The Ilunua - Paparimu Railways League held its annual meeting on" Saturday in Hunua hall, Mr J. T. Stembridge in the chair. Others present were Messrs M. Wallace, G. Hirst, S. H. Judd, G. A. Wilson, J. Cowan, T. J. Lockwood, A. Oldham, Nicholson, Fox and Stokes. The secretary (Mr T. J. Lockwood) read the annual report congratulating the League upon what had boen accomplished. Disappoint men t ,vas exnressed at the inadequate support given to the project by the Auckland newspapers; the Hon. R. MeKenzie had been entertained but no account of his report had been obtained. The joint League had decided to promoto a monster petitiou asking for more information. The Hunua petition had been largely signed and would be added to the other petition from Clevedon and Manurewa. Reference was made to the work done by the chairman (Mr Stembridge). "Your committee have not yet accomplished their object," said the report, "but are very optimistic that. success will attend their efforts. There is no thought of giving up. We aro confident if the people of Auckland only realised what it meant to Auckland when the future millions that must settle on the east coast begin to send their produce, and the settlers go to the city, they would certainly help this line because of the shorter route and saving of duplication to Pokeno. It is very pleasing to be able to inform you that our side is receiving a great deal of help from a quarter little expectod. Mr Gill, of Tawaki, is moving in the matter and a petition is being circulated asking for this line to be continued through Clevedon, Whitford, Howick, St. Heliers, Orakei and Parnell.

The receipts totalled £2O 14a sd, the balance in hand being £1 !5s 4J. Messrs Stembridge (chairman)' Lockwopd (secretary and treasurer); Wallace, Hirst, Judd, Wilson and Cowan were elected the comniitteo for the ensuing year. In reviewing the year's work Mr Stembridgo said there had been a good deal of talk about the " large " petition presented by Mr Poland, M.P. for Oliinemuri. This " monster" peti- ! tion contained 126 signatures, but the Hunua petition alone contained more I than double that number of names, so 1 that if the petition was to do anything I llunua's point was won. The speaker j read a letter to the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce asking for support at that end, to which a reply was received that general assistance would be given to the railway scheme but the Chamber first wanted to get the route authoris* d, allowing the route to bo sottled afterwards. Mr Stembridge emphasised the good country the line would pass through aud urged that railways should be built for purposes of developing the country and not for parochial purposes. If Hunua route got lair play they hail u good chance of the railway. Mr Judd said all they asked was that before a line was authorised to Pokono a survey should be made on the Hunua route; in other words what he wanted was the best route.

Mr Wallace also urged that proper trial survevs should be made. Mr Luck wood said thu line would bo a payable one from the start and Mr Massey, who was not committed to any route, had promised the Ilunua proposal fair play Mr Wallace: We have kept going so long that wo will just keep going till we see the finish. (Hear, hears).