ANOTHER SOUTHERN RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12240, 8 April 1903, Page 5

ANOTHER SOUTHERN RAILWAY.

STATEMENT BY MR. HALL-JONES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PKES9 ASSOCIATION.] Ashbt/htos, Tuesday. The Hon. W. Hall-Jones. Minister for Public Works, visited Mount Somers to-day to inspect for himself the coal, lime, and stone deposits, with the object of inquiring into the wisdom of extending the railway for nine miles to the coal field. ' At present the mode of transit is by tram, drawn by horses, at a cost of 4s 6d per ton from the mines to Mount Somers. The Minister, accompanied by a large party, visited the various properties, and was greatly impressed with what he saw. The Mount Somers Coax Company's new mine, which is the most developed property, was thoroughly inspected. This mine is driven into a hill*4ooft, with coal thickening all the way, and improving in quality. An expert recently estimated I that half-a-million tons of coal was in sight. J At a banquet afterwards the Minister said i he had already reported on th» survey of the j proposed railway, and would get the Mines : Department to report en the quantity of 1 coal in the field, and if the report as satis- | factory, he considered the railway line I should be constructed, or the present trami way much improved, as he considered the j development of the field was being retarded I by the hk'h' cost of transit- from the mine I to the railway line. The matter would be laid fully before his colleagues, and he would impress them with what he had seen of the undoubted mineral wealth of the field.