OUR RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 907, 4 June 1903, Page 3

OUR RAILWAY.

REMARKS BY HUN. J. CARROLL

In his speech on Tuesday night, Mr Carroll bad omitted to make reference to the railway, but Air E. P. • Joyce, who proposed the motion oi confidence, thoughtfully reminded the district s member of Ihe omission. Mr Carroll thanked Air Joyce for the reminder, saying that he had intended to refer lo the subject, hut had overlooked it. The present line (was, he said, proceeding very satisfactorily. As far as the Karaka, there Would he a slight delay in regard to the bridge, the material for which had lo heoblamed from England, and tlie Umber from Australia. I Except for any little delay in that way the work wouid be done in good time. U'hen the formation to Karaka and the tunnelling was complete, | there would he the important question to consider what should then be done. Karaka should form the basis from which they could determine how far and which way the line, should go , whether we should then turn our attention lo building a dis- j iriel system of railways to connect . with the main line. The productive i power of the district, wus so great, it < was so wealthy, that he was satisfied it would be entitled to some conside-

ration in the way of a local network of railways to carry our produce—(Voice : From ihe Alotu). They ought to have the use of the iron horse instead of depending so much on our present roads, when they considered the cost of metal. There ought to be a line through Mangapoike, but whether for instance there should be a line through Lo Wairoa was a matter that should have their attention. if they got a line to U'akapunake bluff they could get good metal there for their roads for all tune. Whether the iine should go further than tlie Motu was a question yet Lo settle. He thought it certainly could be gone on with to Lhe Alotu with great advantage and

benefit to this district. The timber resources there, lie believed, would help to pay the cost of construction, and when it- was cleared off, the soil and climate being so suitable for dairying, the land would carry a settled population ; when the timber was done., the Motu would become, a flourishing centre of the dairying industry. All that he could do at the present time was to consult with his colleague, the Minister of Public Works. They might iiavc light lines located beyond tlie Karaka ; it might go hy Mangatu, Waihuka, or some other route. There should be a con-

nection hy rail with the East Coast and a line to connect, with Patutahi. However, he would be satisfied to get the line to the Karaka, which would he a base for future operations, and he was satisfied that tlie line would justify itself in such a way as to ensure tiie system being extended some way.