A ROUTE BATTLE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 174, 27 February 1914, Page 3

A ROUTE BATTLE.

Auckland-Paeroa Railway, Wanted Through Hunua and Ararimu. The Prime Minister was waited upon by a deputation on Friday last representing the Howick Railway League and the Mayor of Auckland Mr C. J. Parr) for information as to the route to be chosen into Auckland for the East Coast Railway from Paeroa.

Mr Parr pointed out that a similar question had been put to Mr Massey about I■> months ago. Messrs Hattaway and Gill, representing the Howick League, desired to see a route by way of Orakei, Pakuranga and Clevedon chosen rathor than a connection at Pokeno, but the Auckland League, said Mr Parr, was not committed to any particular route. The Prime Minister replied that the Department reported tint a junction at Manurewa was possible but that it would not be practicable to effect a junction nearer the city Such a line would run through Clevedon, liunua and Ararimu, but between Maungatawhiri and Ararimu there was a bad piece of country. If the line went round by Howick it would still have'to come out at tlio point whero costly tunnelling was necossaiy. In fact the M anurewa junction would be, he was informed by the Department, a verv expensive one. Mr Hattaway contended that an entirely now outlet from Auckland would be essential within the next 10 or >0 yeurf, notwithstanding the duplication of tho Parnell tunnel. Ho submitted that fioino arrangement could be arrived at by which a line could bo carried over the new bridge to be erected across tho Tamaki. In answer to the Premier's remark that to aujuiro land tor a lino by way ol the Pakuranga would be enormously expensive, Mr ilattaway said, " If you put the line through my property I will givo tho land."