THE PREMIER IN THE SOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7993, 2 December 1905, Page 2

THE PREMIER IN THE SOUTH.

,(rcr Press Association.) LAWEiSJS T CE, Dec. ]. The turning 0 { the first sod of the Tmipeka-Hoxburgh railway took place this afternoon. The Premier, accompanied by Mrs Heddon, the Mayor of IHmedin, members of the Otago League, and a number of representative citizms, journeyed from town by special train, reaching L.uuenca at one o'clock. The Mayor of Lawrence welcomed the party, the school children presenting Mrs seddou with a bouquet. Tlie Premier was presented with a golden spade. In turning the sod of tlio first sec turn, which will be about six miles in length, the Premier said the total cost of the line would be about £200,000, and he prognosticated that a large aiea of laud, which was now regarded as purely pastoral, would eventually be taken up for fruit growing, and support thousands of families. With runs cut up for closer settlement, and Central Otago effectively irrigated, the country was capable of maintaining a largo_ population. There would be practically three loops, one connectin<« ftith Invercargill via Clarksville, an° other connecting Roxburgh with Alexandra, and there would be a dirut connection wi;li Dnnedin. The paity v.. s entertained at luncheon by the tu ; ,ople of Lawrence, and mUie evening , . ~ oial. To morrow the .. (.ales at Waihola, and in the evening'models to Stirling,

Inter. Speaking at a luncheon at Lawrence the Premier announced that despite the attempt made to prevent it, the Government had arranged for lire reinsurances with Lloyd's for another twelve months.