THE NORTH ISLAND RAILWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 193, 6 September 1900, Page 2

THE NORTH ISLAND RAILWAYS.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. AUCKLAND WANTS £250,000 FOR OENTRAL LINE. IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. TARANAKI AND AUCKLAND TO BE CONNECTED. (PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, September 5. A deputition of over tvonty North Island members waited on tho Premier, and tlii3 Minister for Public Works, t)-i.i»lit 10 urge that u voto of £250,000 should bo placed on the Estimates this year fur the North Island Main Trunk Railway. Mr. HallJones, in reply, said he had made hu plans, for the completion of the line in four years, and that he did not want £250,000 this year. Mr. Ssddon denied that he had ever stated that the North Island Man Trunk line should bo placed on an equal footing with other lines. What he had said and what he now repeated was that whilst provision was made for the North Island Main Trunk line other lines of railway could not bo ignored. The Premier, referring to Mr. Hall-Jones' statemout," that the line was proposed to be completed in four years." He said he would not incroise this yen's vote from £150,000 to £250,000, as, even if £250,000 wore voted this year, it could not be expanded. Although only £130,000 could ba spant this year thoy niigbt next year spend £350,000. The Government would tliia session ask Parliament to authorise | the constuction of a light line of railway to connect Taranaki with the main trunk line and piss a small vote as an earnest, AN ASSURANCE FROM THE PREMIER.

Auckland, September 5. Tha Right Hon. the Premier, in a telegram to the focrotary of the Main Tiuuk lliilway Loigue, says the people of Auckland nay rest ussured that what is promised in the Financial Statement will be adhered to. He is til anxious as anyone to have Auckland and Wellington connected as soon as possible.