NORTH TRUNK RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 43, 20 February 1902, Page 2

NORTH TRUNK RAILWAY.

Mil. NAPIER INTERVIEWS THE MINISTER FOR WORKS.

MEN TO 11ESUME WORK AFTER MARCH 31st.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday

Mr. W. J. Napier, M.H.R., had a. very lengthy interview with the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, this afternoon, being with the Minister for over two hours. The principal subject discussed was the North Island Main Trunk railway. Mr. Napier was shown papers and figures, from which he was satisfied that the £160,000 voted had been expended on the Trunk line, and that Ministers, having no legal power to exceed the appropriations made by Parliament, cannot spend any more, money until after March 31st. The Minister expressed himself.as most anxious to keep his promise to have the line opened by the end- of IDOL

Mr. Napier urged that the xilatelaying should be completed to Taumaranui before June 150 next,, and that a large gang of men should be put on early in April south of the Wanganui River, so as to make the Waimarino forest timber accessible from Auckland before next year.

The Minister said that under the Public Revenues Act they were empowered to spend money after 31st March-next, pending the authority of. Parliament being obtained. Men would be taken on again after March 31st, and he hoped that good progress would be made. The rails and sleepers, Mr. Napier ascertained, were available and paid for to complete the line a considerable distance beyond Ihe formation works on both ends of the line.

Mr. Napier urged that the Wanganui River should be cleared of boulders and snags between Taumaraniii and Tangarakau this year, so that when the railway reached Taumaranui tourists could travel by rail from Auckland to Taumaranui, and thence by river si earner to Wanganui. The Minister recognised the importance of this work, and said every effort would be made to have it. done. Me said he would have the rails laid to Taumaranui before December next.

Mr. Napier pressed upon the Minister the importance ot having all the smaller bridges and culverts on the Raetihi-Taihupe section placed in hand, so that as formation works proceeded tlu> plate-laying would not be delayed, Mr. Hull-Jones assured Mr. Napier that the iron and materials for these smaller bridges were now in hand, and with the improved foundry plant at the Makohine workshops the bridges would be ready well in time, and would not delay the

works. , _ _ Mr. Napier tells me he is impressed with the conviction after a most exhaustive discussion of all the details with the Minister for Public Works, that that gentleman is sincerely determined to complete the line within the original four years, if he is only allowed the necessary money. The senior member for Auckland thinks that the weight, of Auckland's influence should in the future be concentrated on tbe holder of the colony's purse, so as to induce the Treasurer to supply the needful to enable a solemn Ministerial league and covenant to be fulfilled. Mr. Napier again reminded Mr Ilall.Tones that under certain conditions the money for the completion of the North Island Main Trunk railway could be raised locally, and; there would be no necessity for going to the London Stock Exchange or the big money-lenders. Mr. Napier also showed that the landf* purchased by means of the • earmarked portion ot v public loan set aside by Sir Julius Ynn-el for the construction of the Main Trunk railway were now withheld from sale as an endowment for the railway, but it was probable that when the line had been completed the Government would claim the lands as belonging to the Crown, and assert it:s power to realise, on the lands Mr. Napier suggests that the lands' assets should be transferred to the control of a board, and that the way be left open fpr a local loan to be raised on the security of the land sufficient to complete the railway. The Minister did not seem to be moved by Mr. Napier's keen logic and eloquence, preferring to adhere to the slower methods prescribed by law.