PAEROA-POKENO LINE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 617, 20 March 1929, Page 16

PAEROA-POKENO LINE

SUPPORT FROM TAURANGA EXTENDING RAIL TO OPOTIKI (From Our Own Correspondent) TAURANGA, To-day. Tlie Tauranga Chamber of Commerce at its meeting on Monday decided to support the Auckland Railways and Development League in its efforts to get the Paeroa-Pokeno railway constructed. The following resolution was passed: "That in the opinion of this chamber the continuation of the railway line from Taneatua eastward is of national importance. Also, considering that the line has been authorised and surveys made, and in view of the great success that has attended the opening of the line from Waihi to Taneatua, there is every reason to believe that traffic over the proposed line would more than justify construction. Therefore this chamber urges the Government to put the work in hand, and to send the men who are to leave the Taupo works to Taneatua.”

DEFINITE REPLY PROMISE TO DEPUTATION Our Oum Correspondent) PAEROA, Tuesday. “It would be quite unwise and improper for me to make any statement as to when the line should be built, but I will undertake to see you get a definite reply to your request," said the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, in replying to a deputation today. He was asked that the proposed Paeroa-Pokeno railway be recognised as of greater importance than a branch line, as it would become a vital link in the East Coast trunk line. In view of the addition of the Bay of Plenty line from Waihi to Taneatua, to the main system, it was the next logical step. It was said that the line would relieve congestion and postpone the duplication of the main trunk between Pokeno and Frankton. Further, it was claimed that the line would provide an alternative route for Main Trunk traffic in the event of an interruption arid would open up profitable settlement in the Hauraki Plains. Mr. W. Marshall, Mayor of Paeroa, said it had always been conceded that the line should be completed before the duplication of the Auckland-Ham-ilton line. The department had already retrenched 50 men of its Paeroa staff, and further retrenchment was pending. The commencement of the line would greatly relieve future distress. Mr. A. M. Samuel, M.P., said the Hon. J. B. Donald and the Hon. A. J. Stailworthy had agreed with him that the line should be constructed. The Minister said he was now beginning to realise the tremendous possibilities of the Hauraki Plains, and was convinced the time would come when the line would have to be built. He promised that the deputation would receive some indication of the Government's attitude toward this particular work.”