Railway Construction.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 110, 13 May 1904, Page 2

Railway Construction.

'(Per Press Association.) GJSiiOKNE, May 13. During his visit to Te Karaka today lion. J. McGowan, Acting-Minis-ter for Public Works, said there were sixteen districts in which railway construction was being carried out, and those included a couple oi trunk lines. Many of these lines should bo pushed on to completion, but to bring them to paying poini would saddle the country with u heavy debt, and these were not the times to go' in for heavy borrowing, lie thought tho Government decision in the direction of economy was justified. It was piepared to push on steadily and solidly, but. then agaifl should a heavy public works policy be enteral into it would mean a shortness in labour, with the result that the settlers would be crying out for more hands. The Kai'aka line, so far us it had been made, was a very good one, well constructed, and it would be easy to work and maintain.

Mr Blow, Under-Seciytary tor Public Works, expressed it as his opinion that it would be very tliiVhuii to construct the lino beyoud j\j«i u to Hotorua. Three high saddles', highci than Arthur a I'usy, would have to bo surmounted. From Te Jvuraka this line would, he thought, proceed through Wuihuka, the grade that way being very good. lion. J. Carroll, Native. Minister, paid it would be necessary to skirt •the Urewera country, as it was very rough. lie understood there was a route up to ivorth of tlie Waikoha Valley, which would bring the line out at Opotiki.

.Mi' iilow thought it would be twelve months before Te Kantka section could be open for traflic. Ihis will he very disappointing to II ho.™ who had hoped tlie line would 1)« open for tlie next wool .season.