THE OHURA DEVIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 129, 22 November 1911, Page 3

THE OHURA DEVIATION.

ynrniKi: particulaus. Tin' recent dici-iion of Cabinet to ilningi? tlie uoriliein terminus of the Stratford line by making a deviation to strike the Main Trunk line at a point some miles south of Ongarue, was explained by Sir John Findlay, Attor-ney-General and Minister for Justice, when interviewed by a New Zealand Herald representative. Sir John said that since his last statement on the subject he had received a copy of the engineer's report, and also a map showing the deviation. These showed that a saving of six miles of line would be effected, and thereby an approximate capital expenditure of ±160,000. The I line, instead of going on to Ongarue,' would now branch off at a point on the Olmra river, and junction with the Main Trunk line at a place yet to be|named some ntiles south of, Ongarue. In addition to effecting a saving in the cost of construction the deviation would shorten the distance from Tau.uarunui to New Plymouth by 12Vi miles, while the distance from Te Kuiti would only be lengthened by half a mile. The previous survey carrying the line to Ongarue was purely a trial one, and, therefore, the permanent route had up till the present never been definitely determined. Sir John Findlay added that from the point of view of the area and the quality of the country to be served the new road is eminently desirable. The convenience of the settlers in the country lying to the north of Matiere would not be affected, and the worst part of the Olmra Valley, both as regards the quality of the soil and the roughness of the hills on each side, would be avoided. An additional advantage in the adoption of the new road was that the work of construction could be put in hand immediately, whereas it | would have taken several months to complete the survey and plans had the original route been adhered to.