THE NORTHERN RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12862, 10 May 1905, Page 6

THE NORTHERN RAILWAYS.

INTERVIEW WITH Till- HON. W, HALL-JONES. THE MAIN 'HUNK AND NORTH • AUCKLAND LINES. Tii, Hon. XV. Hall-Jones, Minister for Publie Works, who arrived in Auckland Lib! evening, was interviewed by a representative of the Herald in regard to the progress of the Main Tiunk and North of Auckland railway--. Speaking first in regard to the Main Trunk line, which he has just inspected, the Minister said it was about two years ago .since he visited the Main Trunk line. At that time the railway had only gone as fairs the inline] at Poro-o-taroa. '"Now," he continued, "it is through In Taumarunui, and rails are laid for a further distance of about 11 miles. There is about live miles of formation beyond this point ready for mils, as far as Oawhango, and the work is now in hand as far as the -jural rise to the Waimarino plains." "What is the distance between the Wellington and Auckland ends that is at present untouched'r"

" About 40 miles. The spiral line is necessitated by the great rise of the Wannariuo plains, which are about 3000 ft above re* level, and rise very abruptly. The line from the Wellington end i-> completed as fur as I'ailiape." "There is a good deal of excellent land opened up by both sections of the line," Uie Minister added, "but thai which we have yet to go through is poor, pumice land in places. Some splendid timber countryis opened up, and sawmills are already actively at work. The. country to Taiimpe is very good indeed. There are about 600 men altogether employed upon the work, which is progressing very satisfactorily, considering the nature of the country.*' Of course, this and other works will require a good deal of money it' the rate of progress demanded is to be maintained''" "it is my intention to ask Parliament for more funds to meet the necessary requirements, not only for the Main Trunk line, but for opening up the country generally, by both roads and railways. A great deal of the country 1 passed through in going from Awakino has been taken up by settlers, who cannot use their land until they have tin- necessary conveniences, in the shape if roads and bridges. Of course, the same conditions apply in many other portions of the colony. It is the duty of the Government and of the House to see that adequate provision is made for meeting the. need-; of settlers in the manner I have indicated.

" You may not he aware of a meeting to lie held in Auckland on Friday next in connection with the North of Auckland line?''

" i suppose there is some dissatisfaction. There always is in a progressive community." remarked the Minister, with a smile. "It would never tin for a goahead people to rest content with existing conditions. Agitation for their improvement is a necessary preliminary to progressive work. Well, with regard to the Not tli Auckland line, the section is computed to Kaipara Flats, and will shortly ho opened for traffic, and about three miles is now ready for plate-laying. The section will he opened as soon as it is ballasted. All our ballast, • you know, comes from Auckland, and it lakes some time i" do this work and. carry on the ordinary traffic at the same time. This section will be inspected by the Railway Department and Public Works Department before being opened, and as soon as it is passed ii will be opened for traffic stiaight away. In the meantime the line is being pushed on as rapidly as possible. We have about 70 men employed on the line jus! now. I think that on the whole the new railways are being built at a satisfactory rate of progress, considering the circumstances. But if Parliament provides what I intend to ask for, we shall see the work proceed much quicker, to the benefit of the settlers along the' routes, ami to the advantage of the North Island as a whole.