NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 104, 3 May 1911, Page 6

NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

h RETURN OF THE XJOMMISt SIONEBS.,

IMPRESSED WTTH THE; CpT^XTRY

The members of the Royal Commission, appointed to inquire into and irame re•""tnmpndations in connection the North .Auckland railway routes returned tii Auckland by the Xorthern train, yesterday afternoon. The party consisted of. Meters. Vernon Keed, M.l. (chairman), •I. C'oom (ex-Chief Engineer for Railways ) , T. Ronayne (General Manager N.Z. Railways.), J. Stallworthy, M.P.. L. ]'. Brrroft (Rodney County Chairman), and Wm. Evans. J .P. (TimaruK Mr. T. H. Steadraan (Mayor of Whangarei) ob--I.lined leave of -absence to attend the Mayoral installation, and returned toWhangurei irjistead of travelling to Auckland.

Speaking to a "Star" reporter. Mr. Reed said the Commission had tvery. exhaustively explored the country to be tapped by tbe proposed railway, and , the members were much impressed w>th the* fertility of the land they saw in going, over the 700 miles of country covered. Large tracts <of rich sandstone, volcanic, and limestones country were seen, capable of carrying irajiu two to three sheep to the acre on an average. The Commission toured for three-weeks, and took evidence whprever it was offered. The pluses of importance-visited were Whangarei, Tikoranpi Hill, Kararakawa, Russell, Opua, Ohaeuwai, Rawenei Kohukohu, Manga;nuka, Victoria Valley, Kaitaia, Broadwood. Taheke, Kaikohe. Tautoro, Tutarnoe, Kaihu, X>arsravalle. Kirikopuni, Manpakabia, Opouteke and Wahnatenui Valleve, Houto Porati. Mangakaramea, summit erf the Tangilrua Range, Waikiekie and McCarrolPs Gap. Both the proposed Main Trunk routes to the east and west of the Tangihua Mountains wore traversed on horseback by the Commissioners, and good views were obtained of the suggested - connections from the Main Trunk with .Whangarei and Dargaville. Thr Commission will resume sittings on Friday in the Auckland MunicipalChambers, and will take any evidence then submitted, and will also take.depaxtmental evidence.