"SCANT COURTESY."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1378, 2 March 1912, Page 4

"SCANT COURTESY."

MINISTER AND RAILWAY LEAGUE. (By Telorraph.—Special Gorreßßon<«ntl Auckland, March 1. Over'five:'Wfeoks ago the chairman of tho Auckland Railway League, which is ono of tho 'most important associations in the province, telegraphed to tho Minister for Publio Works inquiring tho probable data of tho starting of the work at tho Waihi end of tho East Coast-Gisborne-Napior line. No reply was received.. On February 15 the chairman wired to tho Prime Minister, and ho replied that he had re. ferrcd tho matter to.the Minister for Public Works. It was not till Thursday, however, that a reply was received from him that arrangements woro being made to 'commence tho work within a fortnight. No mention was made of the ceremony of turning the first sod| although several days ago Mr. Poland, M.P., advised tho league that tho first sod is to bo turned on March 11. Tho Katikati branch of tho league has written to the chairman Btating: "Wa strongly deprecate the fact that your first tologram to tho Hon. R. M'Kcmio, Minister for Publio Works, mot with such scant courtesy at his hands. We desiro to express our indignation that tho president of Buoh an influential body as the Auckland Railway Loaguo should bo treated with such apparent oontempt by a momber of tho Cabinet when seeking information on a question of great public lutorett and importance." i