A MINISTERIAL CONVERSION

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 18, 21 July 1897, Page 6

A MINISTERIAL CONVERSION

[by telegbaph— pkess association.] Auckland, 20th July. The Minister for Public Works, Mr. Monk, M.H.R., and Messrs. Grant (traffic manager) and Vickermau' (engineer) arrived by special train at Kaukapakapa this morning. In reply to a deputation, which warmly advocated the claims of Northern settlers to railway extension, the Minister &aid the country was better than he was led to believe., The line must be continued northwards, and the Cabinet would fairly oonsider the question this session. This Day. The Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones, Minister of Public AVorks, speaking at a dinner given by Mr: Quentin M'Connell, of the New Zealand Finance Corporation, said he had been surprised by his trip in the north of Auckland. That district had not received the consideration it deserved. On the train by which he travelled there were some 45.000 ft of kauri timber in one item. Then there were enormous exports of kauri gum. He had been astonished to find considerable patches of really good land, and other patches which under cultivation had become good land also. From th,e class of settlers he had confidence that there was a great future before the north of Auckland. It appeared to him that light railways were just what were required. The matter to he considered Would be the opening of the King Country for settlement. This was going to be a great thing for Auckland, because of the business that would bo concentrated in it. This was a nutter more advanced than most people were aware of. Before long the country would be thrown open, and the result would be seen.