NORTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK TERMINUS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2515, 17 July 1915, Page 2

NORTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK TERMINUS

» . iV correspondent writes stating that a strong railway leaguo is being formed at Mangomii, comprising the business people and settlers along tho Main Trunk survey route from Mangamuka, into the Mangomii township. The lino iluis through a lot of maiden country, beautifully situated, undulating, and. highly .suitable for settlement, and also through the settlements of Fern Flat, Peria, Oruru, Arpetercwa, thence through tho suburban area along the forefront to deep water at the township of Mangomii. Those who took part' in forming tho leaguo included representatives of tho borough, tho chairman of the dairy company, the local solicitor, r.nd three prominent business men. Tho settlers along the lino aro enthusiastic and it is expected ihat the league will number from 200 to 30 strong. Its objects are to approach the Minister of Public Works with a view to urging upon the Government the necessity of pushing the rail-heads along to deep water at Mangonui as Tapidly as possible, so that tlio long-promised opening of Crown lands -will materialise. The distance is stated to be approximately 40 miles. Mangonui has a good har« bour, capable of berthing 'ocean liners, and the lino_ would then have, deepwater conveniences at each end, ; WeU lington in the • south and Mangonui in the north. Our correspondent suggests that to expedite this great work the material could be landed at Mangonui and the work start at that end, ■as this should greatly reduce the cost of haulago of the material required for the construction of work, as at present it is being hauled to the rail-heads on tho Kaikolio northward section, a distance of over 30 miles. Tho configuration of the country suggests that as the dividing range is hard to negotiate beyond Mangamuka, to get over from the western to tho eastern side. There will ' therefore probably be a branch line from the Main Trunk at Peria required tc. serve the Kaitaia district. The distance would be about from 12 to 14 miles, and the produce of that district could then be shipped with regularity and convenience at tho port of Mangonui. '

Tlie anniversary of the capture of thd Bastille, which marked the commencement of the French Revolution, is usually celebrated by French people all over tlie world 1 . The Bastille was a State prison at Porte St. Antoino. under the Bourbons, aud in it were confined those wlio offended the King or his-favourites. In 1779 the mob of the Faubourg, St. . Antoine, arose and captured the prison j and this act eventually led to the establishment of a republic. Wednesday was i the 136 th anniversary of the event,'but owing to the war the usual rejoicing? were dispensed with.