GISBORNE RAILWAY EXTENSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 89, 14 April 1905, Page 3

GISBORNE RAILWAY EXTENSION.

OPENING CEREMONY.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

GISBORNE, Thursday. The proceedings in connection with the opening of the Te Karaka section of the railway was characterised with much enthusiasm. The day set in wet, but cleared up beautifully. There was a very large turn out, the opening speeches being followed by a luncheon and sports. Mr Townley (*he Mayor), Mr Tucker (County Chairman), and other representative gentlemen spoke welcoming the Ministers and expressing pleasure at the progress made, andurg°jng the importance of continuing the ff ork of construction to Motu and thence to connect with Auckland via Opotiki. The Hon. Ha 11-Jones, who said he ftimself had nearly decided on settling in Motu before he had gone into politics, ■poke very highly of what he had seen of the fertile districts. He explained that the amount of funds at the disposal of the Government had to be allocated as fairly as possible, but said they could rely on the line not being etopped. Before he left he was goin°to authorise further extension! (Cheers.) The Gisborne Karaka line had been fairly easy in the course of construction, £7131 being the average cost per mile. For the past nine years the cost of this section was £5900 per mi'ie, which, considering there was a bridge and tunnel and the heavy cost oi the land, was a compliment to the engineers who carried out the work. (Applause.) The Hon. Jas. Carroll said he believed the line would proceed and connect with the Bay of Plenty, and he hoped the union would soon become a fact.

Mr Herries, M.H.R., said that Mr Carroll could alwaps depend on his support in pressing to have this connection made. Until the East Coast was connected with the main railways' of thr colony justice would not have been done.

Mr J. McCosh Clark, representing the Auckland Chamber of Commerce joined in the congratulations, and said the Auckland people were waking up to the importance of railway connection with Gisborne.

The Hon. MeGowan mentioned that many years ago at the Thames he had at a meeting advocated such a line as was now being taken to bring these rich districts into connection with the wealthy Waihi and other portions of the Northern mining districts. Wellington desired all the railways to meet there, but the lines should go through the land that would grow products to support the railway.

Mr A. L. D. Fraser, M.H.TI.. joined in the congratulations, and cheers were given for the Ministers and others.

In the afternoon Ministers left for Motu. The Premier sent a message o congratulation to the Mayor.