THE MAIN TRUNK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 19, 22 July 1907, Page 7

THE MAIN TRUNK.

THE PARLIAMENTARY EXCURSION. MORE BLESSINGS AND GRIEVANCES. [Bt Tbieghaph.] (From Oui; Special Reporter.) TAUMARANUI, 20th July,' Meredith's accommodation house </in-ing-room was crowded to excess to-nijht.. the occasion being a benquot to tho Parliamentary party which travelled through to-day from Raetihi. En rouio tho various points of interest on the Main Trunk Railway were poinled out. Splendid progress is being evidenced all.along the line, which runs through country which has greatly impressed those members who had not hitherto visited the district. Tho southern members, especially, are greatly impressed with what they have seen. Miles and n/iles of niagnififoni timber, standing <>n land that will winter two and a heif sheep to the acre, urought forth innumerable comments from members *'ho aro anxious to promote settlement. 1 ' At tho Makolote viaduct jhe party lunched,, and afterwards inspected this great work. The contractors,, John Anaerson and Co., of Christchlireh, havo erected a large foundry and; workshop on tho site, and here nearly ono hundred men aro busily employe)! preparing the great iteel frames tljat are nepessary for the support cf the second highest viaduct in tne world. By way of diversion, members have also boon treated to what are called roads in this locality, and' later in the session there will be, if 'promises aro kept, an increasingly loud demand f.or •JJetter treatment for these settlers. Many members havo expressed the opinion that tho areas of bush in the magnificent gorges crossed by th© viaducts should be preserved for all time, as the permanent scenic ,'valuo must far outweign tho milling value of tho timber or the leasing value bf tho land. It is strongly urged hero that members chould at onco bring this. important national question before- the Government. The residents here,' amongst other matters, urge that lho Government should construct a line- from Ongarue to Stratford, a line that would open up a great area of Crown and native landb, and 'satisfy the land hunger from end to tnd of the 1 oiony. In responding to tho toast of "Tho Railways,". Mr. Ho^an urged that when the Main Trunk Lino was *akcn over by the Railway Department, the Public Works officers should be letained in tho service. He also urged that the Government should purchase the Wanganui Rivor {.tcam'ers, a remark which was loudly applauded. Strong appeals for roads were made, and loud were the complaints of settlers again«.t the objections of the Government to rafting timber down the river, which was tho natural outlet of the aistiict. < Mr. T. M'Kenzie urged the opening out of tho back country by means ot light-line railways, and said hs .vould support a loan oi' three- millions for' this purpose. He said that the railways shouM precede settlement, instead of lagging after it. . Mr. F. M. B. Fisher referred to Ihe excessive charges mado to settlers for carriage on tho river services, and said tne Government was annually expending large sums of moaey in clearing tho river to enable a private company to levy exorbitant taxes en tho settlors. This must be stopped. He also referred to the mutual interdependence of tho town and count»y. and said .that the city members were much impressed with the- resources of the country they had seen. To morrow fifteen members of the Parliamentary party will leave by boat at 7 a.m. for Pipiriki, and Wanganui. and the rest of the party (sixteen) will leave by train for Auckland, thence back by steamer from Onehunga.