EAST COAST LINE NOT YET HANDED OYER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 303, 14 March 1928, Page 9

EAST COAST LINE NOT YET HANDED OYER

OPENING DATE UNCERTAIN RACE SPECIAL NEXT WEEK There is a suggestion that, to meet the convenience of the Prime Minister, the official opening of the new link in the East Coast Railway will be postponed from March 28 to March 30. There is a proposal also to run a race special through the new line to Tauranga on Tuesday next. In the meantime residents are preparing for celebrations on March 28. The official opening of the line will not necessarily mean that the 18-mile stretch of rail will be handed over from the contractors, Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth and Company, to the Railway Department, as the contractor in a case of this kind must maintain the line for a certain period. This is the first time in the history of the New Zealand Railways, however, that a private contracting firm has undertaken railway construction for the State. Although stock and small quantities of goods are being brought over the line at present, as soon as the opening is performed passengers and a regular goods schedule will be established, and the link between the Bay of Plenty and Auckland will be forged by a permanent service. The line has been fairly busy this week carrying fat stock to Auckland, one of the consignments including 13 prize bullocks which have been brought from Te Puke by the Auckland Meat Company for killing at Westfield and distribution on the local market. A special train came through yesterday with 19 trucks of stock, including 730 lambs and 80 head of cattle.