MINISTER OF MINES IN THE SOUTH.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 55, 7 March 1905, Page 5

MINISTER OF MINES IN THE SOUTH.

ACCESS TO HOT SPRINGS. THE INANQATtijA RAILWAY. [IJT TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] REKFTON, 6th March. Mr. M'Oowun, Minister for Mines, nrrivocl at Reef ton on Friday afternoon. lie wiw _ occupied during the evening in receiving deputations. A County Council deputation Ktrcnigly urged completion of the Reefton-Marua-road for a distanco , of fourteen miles, pointing out the necessity of connecting the Jfot Springs by road to enable invalids to avail thenwlves of their curntivo qualities. Numbers of people from nil parts of the island liad, under great difficulties, availed thomiielves of tho ndvnhtagea derived from theso hot baths, and were loud in their praises of benefits derived from theta. In the pnat a number of people, principally mnkfl, httd dorived great relief from a course of bathing. Wotnefl, howdver, Uufforing from nllmenta, were in a large measure unablo to tako advaritnge of the baths by rea«on of hnrdohips and incdnveniences entailed in travelling tboro. Mr. M'Qowun, whilo in sympathy with tho rcquast, pointed out to the Councillors that the matter came under the control of the Lands and T6utiitt Departments. On Saturday morning Mr. M'Gownn formally opened the Innnguhua railway bridge in the presence of a large gathering. The christening ceremony was performed by Mi.«« ft'FUfg.di. The bridge M what i.i kndWn as a "truss" bridge, set in connected iron cylinders. It Ls 286 ft long and lßft wido. thd upper Wructiiro resting on a steel girder llin in depth, and has nil the appearance of great strength. The Minister left for Ureymoutli by Saturday afternoon's train.