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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 5 (August 1, 1939)

Some History

Some History.

“The settlers of this district know full well how long deferred the work has been. But it is useful to remember that although Napier and Hastings were connected by rail as early as 1874, forty-four years elapsed before the first tangible evidence of railroad construction from Napier toward Wairoa was seen in the completion of the West-shore railway bridge in 1918.

“The railway was opened to Eskdale in 1923, and Putorino (half-way between Napier and Wairoa) was reached in 1930. The line to Raupunga was taken over by the Railways Department in February of the present year, and now we celebrate the opening of the whole Napier—Wairoa section, and the taking-over by the Railways Department of the complete line of 97 miles from Napier to Waikokopu.

“I believe, and I am sure my colleague the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, will agree with me, that the Napier—Wairoa railway has been built under difficulties unprecedented in the history of railroad construction in New Zealand—a land where engineering problems in railway construction have been extraordinarily plentiful.

“After the earthquakes in 1931 the Government of the day decided definitely to abandon the line—and did so. But the Labour Government, on coming into power in November, 1935, and in accordance with its belief in the necessity, in the public interest, of completing the principal railway lines of the Dominion, determined to rebuild this damaged and abandoned railway and to proceed with the work of further construction.

“All who had occasion to visit the locality after the resumption of this work will agree that the engineers and workmen tackled the job with rare energy and ingenuity; but there was a most disappointing setback when, in April, 1938, huge floods played havoc with their work. Undeterred, however, by this stroke of ill-fortune, the engineers and their staffs continued to push ahead with the job. They worked miracles in surmounting all the obstacles of the route, and today have the satisfaction of knowing that their epic of effort is rewarded, in the assurance which improved access gives of a brighter and more prosperous future for this important and rapidly developing district.