STRATFORD-MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 138, 11 March 1909, Page 5

STRATFORD-MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

TW WaitcwlMaa Route. A start was made from Mangaros at 7 a»m on Saturday, the party prowading to the entrance of the Waitewhan* valley by boggy. Horses were provided for the journey up the Waitewbena and the scenery of the valley was much admired. A short stop was mtde at the homestead of Mr Barnett, where refreshments were provided. The party then proceeded to Mr T. Hickman's residence, where luncheon was partaken of, and a visit paid to a coal scam on the property. The seam of coal, which is of excellent quality, it used by Mr Hickman for household fuel. It is a|)OOt twelve feet in width, and outcrops in on the face of a somewhat steep sidling. There are many other such seams in the locality, those on Mr Harriett's property averagnig from Bto 30 feet in thickness. The w** wry favourably impressed with the land in the district, and predicted a good future for it. Mr MeKenxie thanked Mr and Mrs Hickman for their welcome hospitality and the journey was resumed, the party being met by Mr Lewis' coach between Kaeaca and Waitewhena. The I coach trip to Aria was accomplished m good time, and at the tatter centre a I large gathering of residents assembled | to meet the Minister. Refreshments wera provided in the half, and the | Minister signified his willingness to [ receive deputations. A deputation of residents, for whom Mr P. Smyth acted aa spokesman, was introduced by Mr Jennings. M.P.. and requested that providing the deviation was decided upon,the line should be brought through the township. The Minister, in reply, said there was ample tintj to consider any minor deviation, when the rout? bad been decided upon. He thanked the settlers for their welcome and congratulated them upon the district generally. Mr Jennings also addressed the settlers, hit remarks being greeted with applause. Cheers were also given for the Minister and Mr Jennings.

Tile (tit; reached Pi opto* about six o'clock and were met by representatives of the Mokau-Waitewhena Railway League and the Tc Kuiti Kattway League. Mr O'Dwyer, as president of the Mofcau League, formally wetcoated the Minister to the district, and Mr G. Elliott read a pamphlet setting forth the arguce en to in favour of the route being deviated. A plan, which had been prepared by the Mofcau-Wai-tewbena League, showing the proposed routes, and the manner to which tin proposed cfcviaticn would work in with a»y future line to Kawhia, was produced for the Minister's inspection.

Messrs J. Boddie, J. Ormaby. and E. H. Hardy, on behalf of thrTe Kuiti Railway League, spoke in support of the deviation, and urged the putting through of a trial survey to Te Kuiti.

The Minister, in reply, said tie wm (lad to recognise that the district was peopled with a remarkably active and energetic lot of settlers. A programme had been outlined sufficient to last any Government for 25 years at toast. As a matter of fact he was not hero with a view to making a railway, but to see if a railway ccoEd be got through and to estimate by the conditions of settlement if the return from such a line woold likely prove payable. Every settler naturally wanted a railway to Ma own farm, or as near thereto a® possible. With respect to the suggested tine to Kawhia, there had been surveys made, and he was to a great extent guided by his profesional advisor t, with regard to thrsc matter*. The district was not badly ©lf for railway commnwicatkm; he knew of many worse.

Mr Elliott: Some arc from settlers 30 to SO miles away.

The Minister; Wc hear that every day. Continuing, Mr McKenaic said the matter of rdute would be considered oo its merits. He would point out. however, that the line to Ongaroe was authorised and they would require to be very active people to have it shifted. On the other hand he would confess that the suggested deviation woold tap a great deal more country, ami there appeared to be no engineering difficulties.

At the conclusion of the Minister's address Captain Lindsay *»' introduced to MrMcKemie, and presented a petition in connection with the Mangaotakiroad. Captain Limfcay aaid be understood the Minister for Roods was to be present, and he requested Mr McKenaie to receive the petition on behalf of Mr Hogg. The Minster saH ha would be pleased to forward the papaya to his colleague who would deal with the matter* f.tgfrt r freshmeots were provided for party by the Piopio ladies, and awaad very welcome. Gfeeeia were given for the Minster and Mr Jenning aa the coach proceeded o» the jounrey to Te Kuiti.

Social at Ti Kttiti. Ob B*tO*d»jf night the Minister wm nttortainad « soci«» »t T.Kojti. Mr J«r. Ornwby. Cb»inn®o <« th ® Waitomo County Cooncil pwtictefl, *na eweg those at the Mtaistcrial tabic WWtm W. T. Jennings, M-P-.

R. W. Holmes. Engineer In Chief, J. T. Hetet. J Boddie. C. E. Matthews, Private Secretary, and A. Julian.

The health of the Minister was proposed by the Chairman who in the none of his remarks congratulated Mr MeKenxie upon his appointment to the Cabinet, and predicted for him a successful career as Minister for Public Works. With respect to railway matters the local mind was troubled very much, and for the sake ©f tie district. and of the country generally, be hoped the qsMtioimf route would be settled by the Minister very shortly. The toast was drank with mn«dcal honours, and three cheers were given for the Minister.

Mr MeKenxie expressed grc„*t pleasure at the reception he had received. He had only recently joined the Ministry, and it was his duty to familiarise himself with the requiremeonts of the people, not only as Minister in charge of railway construction, but he liked to meet bis fellow man under all circumstances. He had represented one electorate for sixteen years, and retained the confidence of his constituents. It was his duty to receive snd retain the confidence of the whole people of the Dominion as Minister. Mr MeKenxie referred to the policy ©lf bis party, which he stated bad been particularly favourable to the hack blocks. Te Kuiti district a few years ago was pactically a wilderness, and now it gave promise 0? being one of the finest disticts in the Dominion. As regads the railwar question be did not think it was of importance to Tr Kuiti. which was already well served by the Main Trunk line. In any ease he was not to be inflavnved by local requirements, where the interests of the whole Dominion were concerned. The constructor? of political railways died with the last Tory Administration, and the smaller interests must always give w»; to the larger. As yet. railway construction had only begun in the country. The railway mileage at present wast about 2,t>00 and the country would require at least I*>.WW> miles of railways. The j very comprehensive scheme which had been outlined at Piopio had caused him , some amusement. The scheme would occupy 25 years at least and would cost J several millions. He recognised it was in the best interest* of the Do- | m ion ion to pursue a progressive policy ; and open up the resources of the country. We bad an immense asset in our j young country, millions of acres o' which were lying idle. It was wis# j to borrow moderately, at a reasonable rate of interest in order to develop the country, and the present policy of bor- j rowing up to a million a year for rail- j way construction was a sound one. but ; to go beyond that amount meant depreciating the security ami having to > pay higher rates of interest. The Stratford line was an important one and should get £75.1)00 a year. There were other tinea in the province with equal claims and if the province grvt j £3*NUMM> out of the million borrowed, it was doing very well. Mr MeKenxie as id fee realised that the Sooth was further advanced than the North, which j had been retarded by Native dithcul- j ties. Ke considered the chief require- j ment of the district was better roads j and more of them. A system of roads, j which tapped the Main Trunk line J every five miles was better than a rail- I way. which could not come for years, j The Government could be relied upon i to develop the country to the best of I its possibilities. With respect to the J terminus of the Stratford line. Mr Mc j Kenxie said he bad not yet arrived at j. » conclusion. The line would not be ! built in any case until there was a reasonable chance of it paying. He was satisfied the produce of the Ohura should find its outlet in Taranafci The Minister concluded by thanking those present for their hospitable treatment. I

Mr F. H. Sim*, in proposing th«> | health of "Our Member." said then? | was no need to make a speech in con- 1 nection with the toast. Mr Jennings* presence among them was like a ray of sunshine and they-wcrc always glad ; to see him The toast was drunk with musical honours, and three cheers were given for the member. Mr Jennings, in reply, said he was glad to be among his friends. Seven years ago. when he steed for the electorate. he had formed friendsbipsVhich ha J cemented as the years grew on them. Me wast glad to >ee oM fares, such as the Hetets, Ormsbys, McNaught and others present. He had been identified wilh',ht Roh» Fotae for many year*, and with the Stratford railway *inc%* it had started. Today the district gavp evidence «f jrreatrr progress than any other in the Dominion. and he- was satidicd that the road and railway expenditure in the : district would in fwtore be greater than in the past. Mr Jennings thanked the people for their reccptfon and trusted ■ to be with them again very shortly. Mr Boddic in proposing the toast of j the commercial and pastoral industries said he was glad of the oppor- ! tonity which enabled him to rxpTrsa his gratification at the visit of the Minister. He was of opinion that j Ministers should visit the various dia- j tricts. That was the only way to form a correct estimate of retirement*, and carry out Ministerial duties to advantage. He would like to correct Mr j McKenaic in one or two little things, as he was sure the Minister had mistaken the aims of the deputation which waited on him at Poipio. The MokauWaitewhena and Te Kuiti Railway Leagues believed honestly that the deviation meant the greatest good for j the greatest number; that it would j open op an immense country, and j prove the best feeder for the Main Trunk Line. The reference to a future railway to Kawhia was intended to that the deviation woold not only be the best for the present, but would be a connecting link for the future. The explanation was for the purpose of potting the right construction on the remarks of our friends at Piopio with whom the Te Kuiti representatives were associated. Mr Boddie said that Te Kuiti, besides having great interests in the out districts, were particularly interested in having the connection made at Te Kuiti, providing a reasonable route could be got. What they asked for at present was a small matter, and lie hoped a trial survey would be pot into Te Kuiti. The Minister had adopted a very safe attitude, and although Mr McKenaie had not long been connected with the Ministry, it was surprising how soon the noncommittal attitude had commanded itSelf to him. Notwithstanding Uk-

present Ministerial idea be hoped Mr MeKenxie would be soon among them again to torn the first sod of the construction from the Te Kuiti end, and in that case he would guarantee Mr MeKenxie the greatest reception he had ever had in his life.

Referring to the district Mr Boddie said it must be apparent to them all that the place had hardly even reached ; the stage of infancy. Go where you i would on any side of Te Kuiti and you would be greeted with immense tracts o' splendid country awaiting occupa- | tion. Commerce and industries of | every descritpion were dependent upon the settlement of the land. He was | glad to see the Cabinet was composed of good practical men who realised the importance of filling up waste places, and as a means to that end he urged the construction of roads and bridges and other public works. As a "brither Scot." Mr Boddie said he felt proud of the fact that Mr McKenzic had attainde stsch a high position in the country, and he felt every confidence that as time went on they would find Mr MeKenxie a gentleman who would consider their requirements sympathetica! fy. Mr John Orr.'.sby in replying said he thought the subject touched uoon by the previous speaker one of the most important. Road and railway-" were required for opening up the land and making it productive, and Ministers and leaders of the people by coming among them were adopting the only method of arriving at a just estimate of their requirements. Personally he usej to think the district of little worth: it was only when he travelled that he came to recognise that few other districts in the Dominion could compare with it. He would like the Minister to know there was another centre a little further down the line, called Utorohanga. and he hoped Mr MeKenxie would be able to visit it at no distant date.

Speeches were also made by Messrs Hine. Berry and Howarth, while Messrs Pepene Ekctone and W. Thorp welcomed the Minister on behalf of the Native race. During the evening items were rendered by the following: Messrs Jennings. M.P., Davis and Turner, the accompaniments being played by Mr J. Hetet. junr. The Minister accompanied by Mr Holme • and a party of local residents drove to Opanirc on Sunday, and the Ministerial party left for Wellington by the through express on Monday morning.