THE PREMIER AT MARTINBOROUGH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9009, 19 December 1907, Page 6

THE PREMIER AT MARTINBOROUGH.

RAILWAY MATTERS. OPENING OF A NEW BRIDGE. ]!Y TULEGRAI'II -I'IiKSS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, December 18. The Premier reached Featherston from Taihape, at 12.80 o'clock, today, and .yas drivan by motor car to Martinborough, where he was met by Mr J. T. M. Hornaby, member for the district, and the members of the Town Board, and tendered an address of welcome by Mr M. Ross, Chairman of the Town Commissioner's. The Premier, replying, said that whilst motoring from Featherston he had had a line of suggested railway pointed out to him, and whilst .he could not make any promise he was pleased to have the opportunity of seeing the country. He went on to say that he was pleased to see the progress that had been made in the revenue and the increase of population which was now nearing' the number necessary for the formation of a borough, and he would be pleased to do all he could to assist Martinborough in obtaining that end. Referring to the railways ho said that whilst the Government had been able to grant concessions to the extent of £BOO,OOO the revenue from railways was about £2,300,000,^. which showed the remarkable prosperity of the dominion. This was not brought about by any boon, but by the steady and increasing industry of the people generally. Representations were made to the Premier, urging that the railway should be constructed from Featherston to Martinborough.

Mr Hornsby reminded the Premier that he had promised to have a. flying survey made of the suggested route which, he said, presented no engineering difficulties. The residents of the district were prepared to offer a guarantee similar to that under which the Paeroa line had been constructed by taking up cebentures and allowing "the Government to take over the line whenever it felt disposed. The Premier, in replying, said that there were seventeen different lines now under construction in the dominion, and demands were being made from ail parts of _ the country for the opening of new lines. He could only reiterate the statement made before that no new lines could be undertaken at present. The sum of £775,000 was being expended on the seventeen- lines, of which £380,000 was for the main trunk line. When this latter was complete:!, as it would be before Christmas next year, they would then get into reasonable limits again for other railway development. The finances of the dominion were sound. Last year mtu-e money had been expended on public works than any period fcr the last twenty-five years, with the exception of one" year. He mentioned this to show what was being done by the Government. He realised that the linking-up of Martinborough to the railway service would be of great use to the" settlers. He acknowledged that he had promised Mr Hornsby that a survey should be made of the route, but he could make no specific promise in regard to the construction of the line. He could only say that Martinborough would be considered when any new proposals in regard to the new lines were being considered next year. Later in the day the Premier was entertained at a banquet, after which he proceeded to the Huangarua river, some three miles from the township, where he officially opened the new bridge over the river connecting Martinborough with the roads leading to the East Coast.

The bridge was christened H:kiwera Bridge by Mrs John Martin, ou„t of respect to a native tribe of that name.

The Premier subsequently visited the Maori meeting house, after whicl: he entrained for Wellington.