EAST COAST RAILWAYS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15099, 23 March 1911, Page 8

EAST COAST RAILWAYS.

MINISTERIAL PROMISES,

(Pee United Pres3 Association.)

GISBORNE, March 22,

Tile Hon. R. M'Konzie, who is on a visit to the East Const and North Gisbomc, returned t> Gisbonie this cvenin" by steamer from Tokomaru. This evening he was entertained <at a largo representative banquet by the Chamber of Commerce, at which his Honor Mr Justice Chapman and Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., were also present. Mr M'Kenzie expressed iiimsclf greatly pleased with the potentialities of the district which he had visited. He emphasised the necessity for closer settlement instead of the largo areas at present held. Referring to railways, the Minister said that in a few months they would bo ready to stait at the Gifiborne cud and at the Napier end with the Gisb&rne-Napier raihvav and it-would be one of the most important lines in the Dominion. He said the K:uX l'cii-t Main Trunk line would gtt k> Motu inside of 18 months, and when it was connected up eventually it would be one of the most profitable in the Dominicn, tapping as it did vast areas of rich country. The railway from TanTiuig.i would probably reach Opotiki at the same time that the railway from Main would reach Opotiki. The Minister leaves early in Die morning for Napier overland, via Wairoa, to follow the route of the Na/jiar-Gisborne line.