RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 289, 7 December 1901, Page 2

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

THE MINISTER'S REPLY 10 KB. FOV7LOB. FEE PttBSS ASSOCIATION. Adcklabd, Deoember 6. . M: Fowlds, M.H.R., has received a reply from Hon. Hall-Jones statin* that tbe number of men discharged. from the northern end of the IMitof TrunV Railway was 200, hence Jfr Fowlds' estimate of nearly SOO was 60 per cent. out. "Where, then," ask* the Minister, " was the auibbJe J Auckland bad not been singled out for peculiar treatment in this matter." He considered Mr Fowlds ought not tohave made the suggestion- of finaneiak tightness, as it would be wrongly onostrued. In conclusion Hon. Hall-Jonee states: "I know the works I have in hand, and alsj the amount set apart, for the several works, and intend to<u*t tbe money voted to tbe best advantage. I certainly do no* intend to have men working up to their knees in mud.. It is not necessary, and will not be don , and I know I am correct in saying in** especially in tbe Auckland district my authorities will be more fully expendwl than for many years put. I sinoerely hope we shall hive no more of these unfounded assertions."

An indignation mestiog was held at Whangamomona on Thursday to pro* te*t against the suspension of work; on the Ohura-road. Th« meeting ifwrfcsd that arrangements in progress for dairying must be oanoelled, einoe the Government app»«rs to b* unable to crry out the Hon. T. Y. Duncan's promise of road facilities. Milk is blocked by the state of the roads, and I the matter is of vital importance to settlement.