RAILWAY AFFAIRS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 231, 18 September 1914, Page 4

RAILWAY AFFAIRS.

In the course of his report the i general-manager of railways makes some statements of especial interest i to this district I Discussing the scheme for the ! easements of grades in the vicinity of Auckland, Mr Hiley states that i the total cost of reducing the maximum grade between Penrose and | Mercer to 1 in 100 is £242,000. ! Deducting the £92,000 already spent 1 between Paerata and Pokeno, a sum : of £150,000 is left as the amount I required to complete the work. I When the scheme is completed the j load between Penrose and Mercer ! will be increased from 162 tons to J 494 tons with the same kind of : engine.

In order to relieve congestion especially during the summer season on the main line between Auckland and Frankton, it is proposed to duplicate the line between PenrosePapakura, Ohinewai-Huntly and Horotiu-Frankton. The generalmanager states that the HorotiuFrankton duplication will cost £40,000. The Ohinewai-Huntly duplication will cost £40,000, should be put. in hand in two years' time, and will take two years to complete. The duplication from Penrose to Papakura is required both as a relief to the main line and to develop the Auckland suburban business. The capacity of the single line between these stations has reached its limit, yet there is every prospect of the suburban traffic spreading rapidly. The department is not a position to cope with additional traffic, therefore the duplication should be taken in hand without delay. The>ork will coat £BO,OOO and will take three years to complete.

The friends of Mrs Jas. Harris, formerly a Miss McElwain, of Waiuku, will regret to hear of her death, which occurred at Palmerston North on Sunday, after a serious illness. She was in her 48th year.