EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1922, Page 5

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

PREMIER OPENS NEW SECTION. PROGRESS OF PUBLIC WORKS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Napier, Last Night. An important, event, to the Ea«t Coast district was the opening this aUeriiuoit <>l the Napier-Eskualt section of tho East Coast railway, u. distune? of twelve miles, by the Prime Minister in the presence oi a large and -representative assemblage. Mr. Massey was enthusiastically i»ceived when he commenced his address. He said lhat during the present Government’s term £18,170,000 had been expended on public works, whilst Z 3-5 miles of railways had been completed. With respect to hydro-electricity, 29,000 horse-power had been provided for, and it iz expected to have another 24,000 in twelve months. As far as roads were concerned, oltft) miles had been formed and 2000 miles metalled.

Mr. Massey also referred to the fact that by the use of more modern machinery works were completed and baeaine able to pay interest on their coat with much greater expedition than with the old methods. Referring to-th? Waikarenioana scheme, Mr. Maszey said it w r as expected Wairoa woukl raceive power within the next two weeks. The Premier indieatixl that it was the Government’s intention to complete the East Const railway, though the difficulties presented between Gisborne and Opotiki were such that it was question*

able if the present generation would see the opening. The Mayor presented Mr. Massey with a solid silver fruit dish, and also requested him to accept for Miss Massey, who is -shoicly to be married, a diamond set gold wrist watch from the citizens of Napier. A gold cigarette case was handed to Mr. Massey for the Minister of Public Works. Presentations were also made to the Mayor and Mr. J. Vigor Brown, M.P. Mr. Massey then performed the ceremony of cutting the ribbon, and the first passenger train, conveying the Premier and a number of prominent citizens, set out for Eskdale.