A SOUTHERNER'S IMPRESSIONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 165, 6 April 1908, Page 8

A SOUTHERNER'S IMPRESSIONS.

MAIN TRUNK AND ROTORUA. I. (BY TELEGRAPIt.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Ghristchurch, April 5. i After spending about' three weeks in the North Island, Mr. C. M.. Gray, M.P., returned to Christchurch yesterday. His - tour in the North Island took him over the North. Island Main Trunk Railway and into Rotorua. Speaking to a " Press 11 reporter, ho stated that tho coach journey. between the Main Trunk railheads was extremely rough, and he would strongly dissuade anyone, particularly ladies, from undertaking it during tho next six months. Discussing tho prospects of the line being completed by the end of tho year, Mr. Gray expressed the opinion that it might be just, possible'that tho Minister would be able to fulfil his undertaking ■by having the north and south rails actually connected. Technically tho lino might be completed' by tiie end of tho year. His own idea was that it would not bo open for traffic much, before tho end of March next, as a great deal of work remained to be done. Mr. Gray was full of admiration for the achievements in the construction of the viaducts. People who had not seen them could not realise their immensity. Tho Makatote Viaduct ho described as a stupendous undertak■ing. . ' _ • Tho bath-house at Rotorua was nearing complotion when he inspected it. There was a. great deal of talk among the residents and visitors concerning tho very lavish expenditure on the baths. With all tho expenditure, however, lie was informed that there was no provision made for a swimming pool. A question as to tho* stability or otherwise of tho foundations of tho buildings had been raised, and this was being very freely discussed. Some of the people who knew the district well wero of tho opinion, that, owing to the nature of the surroundings, it would not be surprising if a considerable subsidence took place.- Another matter which struck Mr. Gray very forcibly was that, whilst there was a very largo expenditure of public money going on' in Rotorua, no provision appeared to have boon made for a general hospital, in addition to tlio sanatorium. The nearest general hospital was at Tauraliga, but it was only a small affair.