THE RAILWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1922, Page 7

THE RAILWAYS.

GENERAL MANAGER’S ANNUAL REPORT. The General Manager, in his annual Railways Statement, presented to the House on Thursday, lays emphasis upon the need for making provision, without further delay, for carrying out not only the 1914 Hiley scheme, but others equally essential, and other important depots. He shows that to March 31, 1921, the total expenditure on the scheme (estimated to cost £.3,250,000, spread over five years) was £698,993. The Department now found itself in the position of having to deal with traffic from which a revenue of nearly £7.000.000 was obtained last year, with facilities that were considered totally inadequate for business producing a revenue of £4,000.000 in 1914.

He says: The slow rate of progress made with the scheme is the direct outcome of the war. It is a fruitful source of delay to traffic and increases the cost of dealing with it. Notwithstanding the fact that post-war conditions have for the time being checked the rate of progress in the Dominion, there can be no dout that within a comparatively shortperiod the country will again enter on an era of prosperity, which will result in a very material and continuous increase in traffic. Tn order, therefore, that the Department may be placed in a position to deal satisfactorily, efficiently and economically with the large volume of business that it will have to handle in the near future, it is imperative that provision be made without further delay for carrying out not only the scheme outlined in 1914. but others equally essential at other important depots. Works that should immediately be undertaken are the deviation and new station at Palmerston North and new station-; at Auckland. Hawera, Hastings. Wellington, Lyttelton. Christchurch and Timarn. as well as important works connected with the Canterbury and Westland lines in anticipation of the early opening of the Otira tunnel. Provided adequate funds can be made available for absolutely necessary works

connected with working railways, steady employment for at least five years could be found for 2500 suitable mfen.