THE HON. W. HALL-JONES AT CHEVIOT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2558, 25 March 1903, Page 9

THE HON. W. HALL-JONES AT CHEVIOT.

CHRISTCHURCH, March 20. The annual show of the Cheviot Settlers Association was held to-day, and was very j successful. Th© Hon. W. Hall-Jorfes was present, and was entertained by the Settlers' ■ Association on. his arrival la responding to the toast of his health he promised that there ehould be no cessation of railway works, and that tho 200- men now employed would be increased to 250 ,a£ter harvest. He hoped to have tho line opened to Cheviot shortly after the end of May next year, and tho railway would then be quickly pushed on to M'Kenzie. With reference to future surpluses, he thought something should be done to assist widows and children left in poor circumstances. He had made a list of husbands wlio had died during tho past five years, and, allowing for a gift of £100 to each widow and- £5 to each child under 14- years of age, be waie agreeably sur- j prised to find that £100.000 would meet such am expenditure. He depreoateU adverse . criticism by members of the Otago Central and Midland railways, believing that both ' litres were required to give the needed facility for transit to settlers. Referring j to land sebtlement, he said there were immense a-reas in the North Island which the Government intended to have surveyed immediately, and thrown open for •ettiement as early 03 possible.