THE HON. MR. HALL-JONES' TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 73, 26 March 1906, Page 3

THE HON. MR. HALL-JONES' TOUR.

THE EAST COAST RAILWAY-

(Special to the Star.)

ROTORL'A. this day.

. at Rotorua as to the impressions gathered during his trip between Te Puke and Mainaku. the Minister for Public Works, the' Hon. "■ Hall-Jones,, said that the district v.a , exceeded h is expectations. He had been surprised to tind such fine country as that surrounding Te Puke, and was much impressed by its possibilities. The country- passed through on Thursday and Friday was the most widely settled in the * colony, in advance of a railway. One could realise the great disadvantages of a district such as that which he had passed through, and which was so well "suited to agricultural and pastoral developments, when it was without the means of railway communication. He understood that the rich belt of land which had so impressed him in the vicinity of Te Puke went right down beyond 6potiki. including the Matata district. He intended to have a good trial survey made, and an estimate of the cost of a railway prepared, though he would not promise anything at" present about placing the East Coast railway on the list of authorised lines. However, having in view the fact of the favourable impression the district had made on him and its great possibilities, there >eemed every reason for the settlers to hope to see their railway on the list of authorised lines. In conclusion, Mr Hall-Jones expressed the opinion that the. magnificent bush in the Mangaorewa Gorge should be preserved as far as possible. ROTORUA'S WATER, SUPPLY. On Saturday -morning the Minister visited the Moerangi Springs, which are at present being tapped by the Public "Works Department with a view to providing a water supply for Rotorua. One of the springs emerges from the side of Tikitapu Hill, in a- beautifully clear and pure flow of one and a-half million gallons per day. Other springs in the near vicinity will give an equally good supply if needed. There is a fall of 180 feet to Rotorua, which' is six miles away, and the water will be conveyed through 16-inch pipes of American redwood. Each section fits into the other like the teeth of a saw, the whole being bound with wire by machinery, the joints being east iron circlets. This variety of pipe is said to cost half as much as iron, and last an indefinite time. The pipe line will be laid as soon as consignments arrive from America, and the eonstraction of the reservoir taken in hand iuunediatelv.

The Minister visited the new baths and pumping station, and this morning left for Taupo vi-a Waiotapu, going on to Wak>uru on the Main Trunk line by vav of Tokaanu.