HON. R. M'KENZIE IN THE NORTH.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 780, 1 April 1910, Page 6

HON. R. M'KENZIE IN THE NORTH.

VISIT TO DARGAVILLE. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) ' Oargaville, March 31. The Hon. E. M'Kenzie, Minister foi Public Works, accompanied by Mr.' Holmes (chief engineer), and Mr. Wilson, district engineer, arc making a tour of the North Auckland Main Trunk lino. Li passing, they called, at Dargaville in connection with the extension oi' the Kaihu line beyond the present terminus to Wairna, a distance of about three miles, irith the. object of tapping a large kauri bush, containing over 20 million feet of kauri. The old Kaihu Valley Hajlwav Company practically constructed the formation works necessary, and it is anticipated that.little over .£IO,OOO will pay compensation, and complete the line to a'point'about three miles from the kauri forest in question. "The sum of .£20,000 has already been placed on the Estimates for the work, and the object of the Minister's visit to-uay was to examine the lino prior to the commencement of the work. The line, when completed, will not only givo employment' to large numbers of timber workers, but will also facilitate settlement in the vicinity.. Large numbers'of settlers have already taken•up land, some of whom have commenced -forwarding cream supplies to. the factory. The Minister was deputationisod. to-night on local ■matters, and to-morrow leaves for Whanearw.