PREMIER IN THE NORTH

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 130, 3 June 1926, Page 5

PREMIER IN THE NORTH

MANY REQUESTS RECEIVED. LINKING THE DARGAVLLLE UNE. NOTHING DEFINITE YET. (Special to "Star.") DARGAVILLE. Wednesday. Until the Railway Department had ascertained what the line would cost and what it would return, he would not authorise a start being made, said tie Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) when a deputation asked that the gap between the Dargaville railway and the Main Trunk system be connected. Mr. F. A. Jones (Mayor of Dargaville) stressed the importance of the undertaking, and suggested that it would provide relief work for the unemployed of the district. Settlers would be enabled to increase their production if this improved outlet were provided, urged Mr. V. Trounson (chairman of the Hobson County Council), who pointed out that the line would also prove valuable in opening up the Waiporia Forest. Timber from this large tract of bushland could be railed direct to all parts of the North Island if the railway gap were connected. Other speakers pointed out that settlers would be enabled to get supplies of manure by rail when the line came j through. At present, transportation costs were prohibitive. Favourable reports had been made by two commissions of inquiry concerning it he linking up of the Dargaville line with 1 the Main Trunk system, said Mr. Coates. The question was as to when the connection should be made. It was essential that the capital cost be cut dosvn on the ' original estimate. They had been able to save £00.000. A further survey was being made to cut the cost down still further. The Public Works Statement would reveal the policy to be followed in railway construction. Mr Coates asked the deputation not to press for a reply until that statement had> been issued. He had considered the importance of linking up the Waimamaku settement with the Donnelly's crossing railway terminus. In this I respect he had communicated with Wellington, and he hoped to be able to meet the wishes of the settlers. The work would be entirely suitable for unemployed relief work. (Applause.) Mr. Coates promised a deputation from the Waipu Road League that authority for the expenditure of £1000 for crushing metal for the One Tree Point Road would be given. The Raupo Drainage Board entertained the Premier and party at lunch at Ruawai. the little settlement in the centre of the swamp country, where ''the drains'' are ever the topic of conversation. The work yet to be done in protecting the foreshore and dealing with the exxernal water near the foothills was explained to the Premier. In replying to the requests of the settlers, Mr. Coates said a report would be obtained concerning the danger spots between Piuawai and Awaroa, where protective work 3 were said to be necessary. Cabinet would have to consider the question ot , dealing with the water at the foothill; when the Estimates came up. The Raupo Drainage Board Area Rail ' way League presented a .petition, con tain 673 signatures, asking for railwaj connection with the main line. Mr Coates pointed out that the Departmeni had to consider what the revenue of the line would \>e in order to pay interesi and sinking fund on the capital cost. Oi the other hand, settler-; had to remembe: I that they could not expect more thai one train per day. The road offeree (greater possibilities I'erhaps the exist ■ ing road would not be of great service but if it could be brought up to heavi traffic standard it would probably serv< ; all the requirements of the district. Replying to another deputation, Mr . Coates promised that he would plac( • before Cabinet a request from the Kaihi ' Valley Drainage Board that they b . allowed to spend the Government gran of £15,000 on a modified scheme, insteac j of borrowing another rlo.ooo, as hat original y been proposed. !

1 After several days of fine weather " ; with plenty of warm sunshine during thi - J day and a noticeable fall in the ai: J j temperature at night, the weather a J Auckland changed last evening, whei ; I light rain set in. The conditions thi: morning and early this afternoon wer . I dull and overcast, with frequent rah - ' showers, the wind being east-south east 3I A report from .Tiri at midday state< -tthat a moderate north-easterly crale wa 2 blowing. The different working conditions i I England and New Zealand may be judge ' by the fact that employers at Bingle ~ I have been asked to close their mills fo c ; three hours on Good Friday, so as t j enable the employees, to attend religion i j services.