SURVEY OF ROUTE FOR MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6907, 7 January 1884, Page 5

SURVEY OF ROUTE FOR MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Me. Rocheort and his p&rty, who have been exploring for a route for the North Island main trunk railway, arrived at Kihikihi on Saturday morning last. Mr. Rochfort reports to the Native Minister that he has completed his exploration of the central line well to the westward of Tuhua. He states that the line is good throughout, and adds that he was received everywhere with great kindness by the natives since he left Kihikihi a fortnight ago. Mr. Rochforfc heard from the natives that the exploring party under Mr. Carkeek had arrived at the Ohura River, a stream flowing into the upper Whaocanui River. Mr. Carkeek has been in great difficulties, having met with a very impracticable country. He has, however, received orders to labour at it till he gets through, so that in all likelihood we shall next hear of him at some of the Waikato townships. With the completion of his survey the whole of the King Country will have been traversed by these survey parties. In all probability, however, further information will have to be obtained before the results of these explorations can be laid before Parliament with the view of the railway route being determined. We hope, however, that thi£ may still be got together duriog the summer, so that the Survey Department may report and Parliament in its next session may authorise the raising of the money tor the construction of the line. We believe that one result of these recent explorations has been to that a very large proportion of first-class land exists in the country which has hitherto been closed against Europeans.