MR R. THOMPSON, M.H.R., AND THE AUCKLAND MEMBERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5, 7 January 1902, Page 3

MR R. THOMPSON, M.H.R., AND THE AUCKLAND MEMBERS.

(To the Editor.7

Sir, —In a late issue you published part of a speech' delivered by Mr E. Thompson at Whangarei to the members of the Whangarei County Council, wherein he lashed out with his usual vigour at the other Auckland members. If he is correctly reported, he claims all credit for the extension of the railway line from Kamo northward. This, like many of that gentleman's utterances, is hardly correct, inasmuch as that extension was authorised by au arrangement made by the Premier with the Auckland city members, by which they agreed to let the money voted for duplicating the line to Penrose be used for the purpose of extending the railway to the _Hikurangi coalfield. Marsden, while favoured by nature, has strong claims on the Ti'easury, and if its member worked more amicably with his colleagues there is no doubt that that portion of the North would be largely benefited. He not only quarrels with his colleagues, but he has laid himself out to insult a large section of his electors over their opposition to his pet Grahamtown railway, which, to say the least of it, is only a waste of money; and how the Government ever consented to undertake the work against the advice of their engineers, and also of a large section of the electors, is very astonishing, seeing- that a small outlay w rould secure ample waterway to the present railway wharf. The Auckland, members naturally want- to see that for an appropriation of £107,000 some useful work is done, and are quite justified in opposing Mr Thompson's "pet," wd_.il c the line to Kawakawa is unfinished or the Helensville line almost stationary. Mr Thompson has no politics outside .his own parish, and he feels hurt at any interference -within his territory. The other members of the Auckland

district have nothing to fear from such a man except personal abuse, a thing that cannot hurt them from such a quarter, and now they will have less scruple than before in enquiring more closely into this Grahamtown line, and if necessary put an end to its construction before much more money is wasted.—l am, etc., AUCKLAND.