Old news from Armidale and New England

Tuesday 9 August 1910, The Sydney Morning Herald

RAILWAY REQUIREMENTS:

WALCHA, Monday.

Local people are convinced that a new route
for a branch line to the North Coast railway
can be found from the great northern line
through Walcha, and thus save the expense of
duplicating the G.N. line. A party is in readi-
ness to explore the best route, and a certifi-
cated surveyor has been asked for to accom-
pany the party.

A representative meeting of district resi-
dents took place on Saturday to consider a
new proposal for the Walcha railway, viz.,
from Wollun, on the Great Northern line, to
Woodside, on the North Coast line. Mr. W.
Fletcher presided. Mr. A. Hooke, of Tia River
station, who is conversant with the whole of
the country proposed to travel over, spoke.
The speaker pointed out that the proposed
Glen Innes to Grafton railway was 115 miles,
and estimated cost £1,812,903; the second
route was 128 miles, cost £1,715,058; Guyra
to Grafton, 156 miles, estimated cost
£1,726,677; Armidale to Kempsey (Trial Bay).
167 miles; Wollun to Woodside, 80 miles; or
Wollun to Woodside, via Upper Tia, 95 miles.
It was pointed out that Mr. Holman, deputy
leader of the Opposition, had promised his
support to the new route; and in response to
a letter from Armidale asking for co-oper-
ation in the proposed line to Coffs Harbour,
it was decided to reply that the meeting con-
sidered the Wollun to Woodside proposal the
best yet brought forward.