MEXICO AND THE U.S.A.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 16, 11 September 1912, Page 6

MEXICO AND THE U.S.A.

REBELS IX SONORA STATE. (By Elect l- 't Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) (Received 12.45 p.m.) Mexico City, September 10. The, Mexican Cabinet at a secret session decided to ask the I nited States for permission to despatch troops through Texas in order to attack the rebels in Sonora State. it

the United States refuses, complica-

tions are likely to arise with the Madero Government, and if it grants permission the illwill of the revolutionists will be further inflamed. TAUPO-TOTARA PETiTSON.

FURTHER EVIDENCE

(Per Press Association.')

Wellington, September 11

The hearing of the evidence in connection with the Tempo Totara Co.’s petition was resumed to-day. Mr Dalzeill, chairman, continuing his evidence, said that there was no part of New Zealand where so much, country could be opened up by a single project such as that of the extension of the company’s line to Taupe, a distance of 20 miles. it would with an adjunct steamer service open up the whole of the vast undeveloped country, every acre of which almost was ploughable round Lake Taupo. The president of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce contended that the State line from Rotorua to Taupo would be infinitely better than the suggested Putaruru with two junctions. Further, tiie Rotorua-Taupo Jiue could be constructed for £IOO,ODD less than it would cost to put the other line in ordinary working condition. The proposal before the committee, if endorsed, would depreciate Rotorua as a State asset. It would create in the Taupo district a great monopoly. He claimed that ordinary shares in the Taupo Co. were practically valueless, and that there were grave doubts as to the possibility of the company even returning to preference shareholders their money. The company had never yet returned a dividend, Witness argued that if the Taupo-Putaruru connection was decided upon, it would effectively bar for a very long period at all events the developments of the eastern district and Tauranga Harbour. He insisted on the importance of maintaining the State asset at Rotorua and- seeing that adequate return was received for money spent there out of the public funds. This witness was closely cross-exam-ined by Sir John Findlay.

Witness admitted that lie was interested in thirty leases outside the town of Rotorua. The leases had still some 80 years to run, and there was no doubt that if the railway from Taupo to Rotorua would increase the State asset it would also increase the value of the leases.

Sir John Findlay; How many members are there on the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce? IVitness: Seventy.

Sir John Findlay: Will you give tiie name of a single member of the Chamber who is not interested in land at Rotorua ? Witness: Yes; Mr King.

Continuing, witness said that under present conditions Rotorua is more interested in tourist traffic than settlement. His objections to the Pu-taruru-Taupo line were based on the assumption that the line was to be pri vat el y-o w n ed.

Sir John Findlay: If the line were completed and bought outright bj the Government in eighteen months, would your objections still remain? Witness: They would cease.

Counsel explained the company’s amended prayer offering to sell the line to the Government at £IBO,OOO on its completion, and also the proper safeguarding- of any moneys paid in instalments by the Government, so that they could be returned at the end of fifteen years in the event of the Government then declining to take the line over. He asked the witness if he did not consider this an excellent proposition for the Government. Witness,; No; because the line would be no good to the Government. When it got it the Government would have to re-make it.