THE WAIKATO RAILWAY.

Evening Star, Issue 5042, 2 May 1879, Page 3

THE WAIKATO RAILWAY.

NGARTJAWAHIA, May 2. The following was Sir George Grey's speech after receiving the address congratulating him on turning the first sod of the railway :—" I return you my sincere thanks for the address you have been so good as to -'"present to me. I can assure you that it is to me probably as greit pleasure an to yourselves that so great a work has been inaugurated to-day. For myself and my colleagues—of whom one standing by me here is a New Zealander himself, and who it must delight you all to see serving his country at so young an age, giving promise of what the New Zealand race will be—l say, for myself and for my colleagues, . that we are determined to do our utmost by all means to add to the prosperity and advancement of New Zealand. That public .1 Works can pay will now no longer be doubted. * Bttppoae you are all aware that some railways in the Middle Island are already paymgwhat would be in England regarded as a . y *umoieiitrateof interestonthecapitalinvested ia th«ir construction. There therefore cm Ho longer be a doubt that the railroads in this country will find a sufficient return to pay interest on the money expended on their -* construction, The first railroads made shouM be necessarily constructed where the population i; abundant. Population had the largest number of votes, and clearly the first great expenditure on works of thiß kind should be made where the greatest number were to be benefited by their construction. But now that the railway system hss been so largely extended in parts of the Colony population is large, we come to a totally different state of things. We are constructing railways through country ..to open up districts which the young men who are now growing, up might Speedily fill, and I have no doubt whatever that greater profits will be realised ~ from these railways thaa from those constructed in thickly populated districts, as in these districts the public have large tracts of land to sell, to which great value "will be given by the railways which are being made. I think you will all agree with me that the policy which has been so productive of great benefit to the country should be zealously followed up, and that those districts which have not yet experi : enced the benefit of the public meueys to which they have largely contributed should now in their turn have the country which they occupy filled with works of the same character which have been constructed in all parts of New Zealand. I can only repeat for myself and colleagues that we are determined to give effect to what we believe to be for the welfare of the people. Rely upon it that it will be my constant endeavor ; and rest assured, bo far as rests upon us, that we shall spare no single effort to push New Zealand ahead in tho great career on which she has undoubtedly entered. I say further to you, having seen what one New Zealander can do in office, train as many of your young men as you can to come forward and let them aid in carrying on to the highest pitch that country- which has given them birth."