THE WAIUKU RAILWAY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 139, 24 October 1913, Page 1

THE WAIUKU RAILWAY.

Auckland's Refused Support. Protest From Mauku. In the coursa of a latter to a contemporary Mr Finlay, secretary of the Mauku braich of the Waiuku Railway League, writes as fellows: "The attitude of tbe Auckland Railway League towards the proposed Waiuku line does not appear to be altogether sound. It has been admitted by those well qualified to judge that a branch line to Waiuku would probably pay from its ir.ceptior\ whereas the main lines which the Auckland League considers should take precedence, "though of an absolute necessity in the development of the province," could hardly be expected to pay for many years, to come. The construction of lines for opening up the country must of necessity be slow, as the people of the Dominion as a whole have to pay for them, and by building tco far in advance of the population there is grave danger of placing so great a burden on the people that the prosperity tf the Dorainicn would be imperilled. As cities grow in size, 1 and in order that their natural growth should net te stinted, it must be apparent to cur city fathers that transit facilities must be promoted. Then why is that support »rom the city for the Waiuku railway, which would naturally be expected, not forthcoming? The line would traverse land Eecond to i:one in the Dominion, land that is rot producing a tenth part of what it is capable of doing on account of its lack of transit facilities, and yet lies within oU or 40 miles of the city. Surely the Auckland League does not suggest that the same amount of money required to build the Waiuku line spent cn any of the main trunk lines where the population is less ar.d freights higher, would be more beneficial to Auckland than if spent on the Waiuku line, which would be a good asset to the Dominion, a boon to the settlers, and a stimulant to the trade of the city of Auckland."