THE NORTHERN TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 43, 19 February 1909, Page 3

THE NORTHERN TOUR.

- a BON. iMcKBNZIE?S IMPKE^IQNSL THE WAIMA EXTENSION. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DARGAyiLLE, Thursday. This morning the Minister for Public Works, accompanied by Mr. Holmes, en-gine'er-in-ehief, and Mr. J. Wilson, who is in charge of the survey -party marking out 'the trial line, proceeded to a point about ten miles along the ridge between Maungakararnea and Whakatiri. An excellent view of the surrounding country was obtained. The proposed alternative routes or deviations, a's suggested by the trial line as surveyed, were pointed out from the high elevation. A splendid view of the valleys on each side was obtained, the country .being in complete contrast to that travelled over yesterday, when the party rode through heavily wooded valleys, and in some parts dense bush. Mr. Hunt (North Auckland Railway League), accompanied by hi* party, including Messrs. long and Poole, M.P.*s for Manufcau and £ity West, resumed their pilgrimage about 6.30 a.m. Their journey to-day will be a most arduous one, and they expect to cover about 50 miles before nightfall. This afternoon the Minister proceeded by steamer to Dargaville, where upon arrival he waa welcomed by Mr. Slade, chairman of the Hobson County Council. Subsequently a deputation from the Council waited upon him, and pointed out that they were debarred from the royalty on. .timber coming off forest reserves, owing, they were informed, to a flaw in the Act. The Minister promised to lay the matter before the Prime Minister, in whose Department the question would be dealt with. Grants for roada were also asked for, and in reply the Minister promised to lay the matters discussed before the Minister for Roads and Bridges. RAILWAY QUESTION AGAIN •DISCUSSED. At DargaviUe this evening a deputation asked before any definite rouysj is fixed that th« western route he traversed and surveyed by Government engineers. Mr. Harding also spoke supporting the western route, and maintained that the eastern country was so poor it would never carry a big population. From a commercial aspect, the western route, he maintained, was the most favourable. The Minister informed .the deputation ■that he was now engaged in making investigations in conneotion with railway routes. £300 for snagging the river, and £'160 for yards for ferry slips at MibTtai were also asked for, and the Minister promised to lay them before his colleague. Mr. Hammond, chairman of the Kal- i par* Railway League, asked for a continuation of the railway system to Wais», and then have a flying survey con- j tinned on to Hokianga. It was pointed out that 20 million feet of timber had to be taken out. and the prospects were so good that if the lin-s were extended a satisfactory revenue -would accrue after its construction. Tho cost of the lias would be about £10,000. Mr. Holmes, District Engineer, said that he had already gone over the routs, and he found it was impossible to make a railway between Waima and Hokianga under osdinary railway construction. A height of 2000 ft would have to be ascended to get over the mountain between the two points. . | The Minister promised that application regarding the three miles extension would ibe dealt .with on its merits, and after inspecting the line to-morrow, he would lay the matter before his colleagues. To-morrow morning at seven o'clock the Ministerial party will leave Dargavflle for Kaihu by train, a distance oi 17 miles, thence proceed to Taheke, 45 miles, and arrive at Kobukonu, a distance of 20 miles. The total length of the Journey to-morrow will, thereiore, be'B2 miles. Speaking at a banquet to-night ien- ' dered by the DaTgaville Borough Council, the Hobson County Oouncil, the Kaipara Chamber of Commerce, and the Kaipara Railway League, to the Hon. R. McKemde, Minister for Public Works, the Minister spoke very enthusiastically of The quality of the land he had seen so far in Auckland North. Peopln in ths South had the impression that the land in tho North was a bare and barren wilderness, but he could -assure them that the land he passed through yesterday and to-day was the 'best he had seen in ths country, and was so good and the population was to grand that the country was warranted in vigorously pushing this North Auokland Trunk line through. The cost of the line would reach fully 1J million. He again explained iris position in the matter of the route, and he emphasised the fact that he was there to see even-handed justice to all. Whichever Toute was agreed upon, it would be fixed with the confidence that it would be best for the country generally, and he was satisfied that the Government would in this matter retain the confidence. and goodwill of the eettlera concerned. Mr. Vernon Reed, M.P. for the Bay oi Islands, recommended the people of DargaviUe to agitate for a branch Hne to connect with the Main Trunk line. He also spoke of the roadless North, and graphically described his passing over a dead horse in the'middle of the road, whloh had been bogged during the previous winter. This was what settlers had .to contend with In the roadless North. It was suggested by another speaker that an effort should now be made to induce the Hon. Mr. Hogg, Minister for Roads and Bridges, to visit the North, and see for himself the disgraceful condition <he roads and bridges were in.

Mr. ESade, chairman of the County Council, presided. A large number of musical items were given, and the gathora yery representative one. KATHU-WAIMA EXTENSION. KA3E.V. this day. The Minister was met at Kaihu this niornjng by a deputation, and in reply to their request, promised to consider extension of the railway line between Kaihu and Waima, the construction works being partly done. PAPAROA AND MATAKOHE. Two townships visited, and inclined in the itinerary of the Minister for Public Works, are Paparoa and Matakohe, both of which give evidence of.. solidity. Paparoa is very centrally situated, being exactly 40 miles from Dargaviile and 40 miles from Whangarei: Communication is established between Paparoa and Wat. roa, a three hours* journey being necessary to reach Euawai, oh the Wairoa river. There' are several good public buildings, including post, office and County' Council office: The fOrmer-ia a wellappointed office, so far : as the public" convenience is concerned, but the accommodation for the poatmiatrea* is exceedingly peer, and re-antirea bupsvtxaf] cc*v

sidefibly: ' Fruit appears to'grow abundantly MsPaparoa.-;'■■' i ; ; t Eour miles beyond is a thriving little township named Jlatakohe, and a much improved mail service has now been established with Ruawai, and thence with the'AVellsford section of railway. The service, is being given a sis months'' trial, before permanently establishing the route. The benefits accruing to the'Matakohe settlers are considerable,, inasmuch as that two hours-trav-elling by road effects a connection with the steamer. As an evidence of the •progress of Matakohe, it may be stated that just .recently representation on the Otamatea County Council had to be Increased to two members, the representatives selected being Messrs. W. H. Birc/i (late mine manager from Thames, who now owns 1500 acres at Parahi) and Gordon Coates. There are some very nice valleys in both districts, and with railway comunication they should be nvide very reproductive and fruitful. i - JOTTINGS BY THE WAY. Mr. Gordon Coates, who has played such a generous part in engineering the Minister for Public Works through the Otamatea County, is an enthusiastic volunteer, and holds captaincy of the Otamatea Rifles. When responding, to 'the toast of the Army and Navy he warmly advocated a system of compulsory training. The Minister for Roads and Bridges should take a trip up North, and he will be astonished at" the dilapidated condition of a very large number of bridges. It is marvellous that the percentage of accidents as the result of the shocking condition is not greater. I Mr. McLaughlin, of Crummer-road, 'Pensonby, who was accompanying the North Auckland Railway League on its j tour North, is returning to Auckland. After a long day's riding on Wednesday, he did not feel equal to the task of the | fifty-mile ride to be negotiated the next day. i Nearly all log-drawing up North Is done by bullock teams. On Wednesday two waggons, on which were immense kauri logs, were passed by the Ministerial party. Each waggon was drawn by eighteen powerful beasrts. One of the unpleasant features of the early part of the tour was the warmth with which the eastern and western deviations were advocated by Messrs. Maunder and Stallworthy, M.P.'s for Mars Sen and Kaipara respectively. Their grievances were aired wherever the settlers gathered, and there was general relief to the party when these contentious spirits became "deviated"' from the party. Invariably the attack on the western route was made by Mr. Maunder, and so bitterly did he express himself on each occasion that Mr. Stallworthy replied to the speaker, and defended the western position with al} the power of which he was capable. Full steam was kept up until Paparoa -was left behind. Mr. Maunder then was able to address his constituents without opposition, Mr. Stallworthy being obliged to leave the touring party.