GISBORNE-KARAKA RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 201, 31 August 1901, Page 2

GISBORNE-KARAKA RAILWAY.

PROMISES OF MINISTER OE PUBLIC WORKS.

WHAT THE COUNTY COUNCIL THINKS OE THEM.

Tun question of the Gisborno-Karaka railway came before the Cook County Council yesterday, when tho following letter was received from tho Undersecretary of the Public Works Department :—“ lam directed by the Minister of Public Works to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 30th ult., in which you urge upon the Government the necessity of proceeding with tho construction of tho above-mentioned railway at a more rapid rato, and in reply to state that the Hon. Mr Hall Jones is quite unable to admit that tho construction of the railway in tho past has not proceeded as rapidly as contemplated by Parliament. I am to draw your attention to tho fact that the appropriation for tho late financial year was exceeded by more than 25 per cent., which shows that the works have been put in band more vapidly than Parliament has mado provision for. The representations of your Council will, however, receive the most careful consideration of the Government when tho estimates for the current financial year are being prepared.” Cr King: They are pushing the lino on very rapidly. (Laughter.) They are doing so much that they will soon require a now engine. Tho Chairman: It is running up and down tho line all day long. Cr King : Not now ; the ongino is laid up. She has gone into quarantine to get her boiler patched up. (Laughter.) Cr Cooper: A nice sort of proceeding on the part of the Department, to send us a report like that. Cr Graham : I would suggest that wo get a report of the big meeting held down on the Waikanao, and send it to Mr Hall Jones. It will serve to remind him of his promises. Cr Cooper: Mr Hall Jones made a distinct promise that the line should be opened’in February last. Cr Tombleson : I think wo sh mid inform tho Minister that there was a distinct promise made that tho railway should bo opened last February, and inform him that the engine is now laid up for some repairs.

The Chairman : What is tho position of tho Kaitoratahi bridge'? Cr King: They bavo not yet fixed on a site. As far as I can hear nothing has been done. They intend to cross the river threequarters of a mile below tho present bridge. The Chairman : Have they ordered tho iron ?

Cr King: They want to get to the rivetin order to obtain gravel. When they get to the river they will stop there. It will be a lino to the river only. Tho Chairman: I think it is time the Council took tho matter up. Something ought certainly to be done. Perhaps wo might resuscitate the Railway League. Cr Cooper: The men working on the lino appear to know nothing as to tho future course of tho work. The Chairman: If it is intended to build an iron bridge it is time the material was ordered.

Cr Cooper : Are they going to put up an iron bridge there ? Tho Chairman: I understand so. Cr Hutchinson : It is an open question whether they go to tho Knraka at all. Some other routo may be decided upon. Cr King : They may go over tho hill on this side.

Cr Tombleson : It is a good idea to call a meeting of the Railway League. The Chairman : Do you think it worth while calling a meeting of settlers for to-morrow, and to ask tho members of tho Railway League to attend? This view was favorably entertained by members, and it was decided to call a mooting of settlers for to-day (Saturday). Cr Cooper: Mr Hall-Jones will tell us, as he told the deputation last year, that we do not appreciate what ho has done.

Cr Hutchinson : We do not. Cr King: He has already been told that. Cr Macfarlane : It took them some time to send the engine up here, and it is evidently some old iron, taken out of the scrap heap. Cr Cooper : I wonder at Ronayne sending an engine like that. lam certain that if he had anything to do with it that ho would not havo sent such a locomotive here. The subject then dropped.