THE HON. HALL-JONES' SPEECH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 104, 20 May 1901, Page 2

THE HON. HALL-JONES' SPEECH.

The Hon. Ha'l-Jones, Minister of Public Works, his con titnents at Timuu on Friday evening. H. described the financo* of the colony as most satisfactory, th«ie be ; ng a large surplus lage concessions in Customs duties and railway rates. Hicompared the present expenditure and income with those t"n years agp, showig greit incresps from increased population and enhanced p os erity in ev»ry cisp. Increased expe>idi uro had p educed fctill a latger i-crens ■ of receipts. Regarding his Depirtirest he said the policy ef th- Government was che completion first of the Main Trunk ii.es in tre Nor'h Is'and, OhriHt-chnivh-Piotop, Midland, and 0 ago Ce tia". The N vih Ishnd lire wou'd be pushed on as f .st es possible ronsisent with economy, Last year Ll 30,000 was provided mid L 129.185 spent. He denied a rumour that the Makohine Viaduct had sh-wn signs of weakness and Mr. Dutbio'd a's.'rtion that ic had

<;ost far more than the lowest tendsr. Regard ng the Christchurch-Picton line, he staged that it wculd be well within the Cheviot Etat« within twelve months, and uouid McKenzie within eiguleou months. Be explained th,'; local dwaaud for -ailway wh Ly« -t.'a Ec * ho granted, Ho appr.-.v.-d ui •'iCi-.icwnewhipof co*l mints, m-J, i? ne-essary, of vessels to uarry c-.a!. H... approved of State in'erfcrenre with regaid to ocean fr-.igUsaud stoiago in London. He referred to pr bable legialation next I session and Tarious local matters.