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Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 349, 25 February 1902, Page 2

THE TRUNK RAILWAY. In the forlorn position in which the Gisborne railway line stands, anyn thing that is connected with railway ,j const; action in the colony must he of interest to Gish ornc people. Great efforts are being made to get the Government to push on with the North Trunk railway. Last week Mr W. J. ■ Niipie;, M.H.R.. had a very lengthy • interview with the Minister of Public Works, the lion. W. Hall-Jones. The principal subject discussed was, we learn from a special correspondent’s report, the North Island Main Trunk Railway. Mr Napier was shown papers and figures, from which he was satisfied that the £IOO,OOII voted had been expended on the Trunk line, 'and that Ministers, hav ug no legal power to exceed the appropria- - lions made by Parliament, cannot expend any more money until after 31st March. The Minister expressed himself as most anxious to keep bis promise to have the line opened by the ppd of 1901. A further report of the 's proceedings shows that Mr Napier urged that the 'plate-laying should be completed to Tamnaranui before June 30 next, and that a large gang of men should be put oil early in April south of the Wanganui River, so as to make l, the Waimarino forest timber accessible from Auckland before next year. The Minister said that under the Public Revenues Act they were empC'.Y?!'?' 1 to 1 spend money after March 31st next, pending the' authority .of Parliament being obtained. Men would be taken on again after March -31, and lie hoped i that good progress would he made, "'lie rails and sleepers, Mr Napier ascertained, were available and paid for to complete the line a considerable distance beyond the formation works on botli ends of the line. Mr Napierurged that the Wanganui River should I he cleared of boulders and snags between Tamnaranui and Tangarakau this year, so that when the railway reached Tamuarauui tourists- could travel by rail from Auckland to Taumaramii, and thence by river steamer to Wanganui. The Minister recognised (lie. importance of this work, and said every effort would he made to. have it done. He said he would have the rails laid to Taumaraimi before December next. Mr Napier pressed on the Minister the importance oT having all the smaller bridges and culverts on the Raetihi-Taihape section placed in hand, so that as formation works proceeded the plate-laying would not be delayed. Mr I-lall-Jones assured Mr Napier that the iron and material for these smaller hri dges were now in hand, and with the improved foundryplant at the Makohinc work shops the bridges would be ready well in time, and would not delay the works. Mr ] Napier states that he is impressed with the conviction after a most ex'- J ban,stive discussion of all the details , with the Minister for Public Works, i that tiiat 'gentleman is sincerely ile- , termined to complete the line within , the original four years, if he is only j allowed the necessary money. The ; senior member for Auckland thinks the jweight of Auckland's influence in the future should be concentrated on the holder of the colony’s purse, so as to evince the Treasurer to supply the the needful to enable a solemn Ministerial league and covenant ip he fulfilled. Mr Napier again reminded Mr Hall-Jones that under certain con- r ditions Jhe money for the completion of the North Island Main Trunk railway could he raised locally, and there would he no necessity for going to I tlie London Stock Exchange or the x big money-lenders. Mr Napier also S | showed that the lands purchased by.

means of tho ear-marked portion of a public loan set aside by Sir Julius Vogel for the construction of the Main Trunk railway were now with held from sale as an endowment for the railway, but it was probable that when the line had been completed the Government would claim tiie lands as belonging to the Crown, and assert its power to realise on the lands. Mr Napier suggests that the lands’ assets should be transferred to the control of a botrco and that the way be left open for a local loan to be raised on the security of the land sufficient to complete the railway. The Minister, we are told, did not seem to be moved by Air Napier’s keen logic and elo(liience, preferring to adhere to the slower methods prescribed by law. While these efforts are being made in regard to the Trunk line, it would be interesting to have more information as to how the Gisborne line is likelv to fare. The sign notv is “ Look out for the engine," but there is no engine to beware of.