NORTH V. SOUTH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, December 3.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 20

NORTH V. SOUTH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, December 3.

The Hon. Mr Hall-Jones has given th<J Auckland people the following figures to ponder over in connection with the amounts of exjjenditure on- railways and roads in the North as compared with the South-- i Island, a subject on whicbrthere has been, much controversy since the foundation of the colony : — There had been expended ia the North Island on railways £6,261,854,, and in the South Island £8,031,494, showing a balance in .favour of the South Islands of £1,769,640. Since the present Administration took office in 1891 the expenditure on railways had been £1,120,258 in thet North Island and £848,531 in the South Island, showing a balance of £271,727 in favour of the North Island. Up to 1891 the whole expenditure on the North Island; Main Trunk railway did not exceed £10,000, and he only wished the people had given the Minister of Public Works of that day the same treatment as they had! given him. Since 1891 the Lands and, Survey department had expended £1,309,705 in the North Island,' and £497,484 in the South Island in roads, a balance in favour of the North Island of £812,221. ' •