THE HON. R. McKENZIE.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12468, 18 February 1909, Page 2

THE HON. R. McKENZIE.

IN THE, FAR ISfORTH. .(Special to "The Colonist."), Paparoa, Feb 17. . Another strenuous day' was' put in by the Hon R. McKcnzie yesterday in viewing the country to be served by the Helensyille northward railway at Maungatorqto. He and his officers together with M'sP. and members of the Railway League were taken possession of "by the settlers in the neighbourhood of Maungatoroto and Paparoa who provided' the necessary vehicles for the conveyance of the whole party through Paparoa .to Matakche. A considerable amount of undulating country of fair quality was passed ' through on ' the way, and as on the provious day's inspection every advantage was taken of the outlook to be, obtaned from the different suitable eminences to take a comprehensive view of the district reference . being made to the ' plan prepared, for the purpose by the Engiheer-in-Ghief in order to locate the direction of the two routes. It was pointed out to the Minister that the deviated line would more satisfactorily servo ' an • area of rich flat land that coiild be s.eeii from i the .main road. Xhis area was and is known as; %he Kotaka 'swamp, but it has been drained by' the Government and' leased to tenants, who are/ now farming it to great .. advantage..: . Much -of -fhe country sepn dunrig' the "clay .appeared "suit-' able for stock raising, and this view was borne but by the cattle' seen on the different holdings. "• The "party which by. this time numbered 35 was entertained at .luncheon by Mr. W. H. Burch and his family; and they afterwards drove back to Paparoa where another banquet was .added to the/list 'of those already held in the Minister's, honour, "^Numerous speeches were made by the members of Parliament and "others present . while Mr McEenzie's .health was drunk with enthusiasm. After the conclusion of the banquet, the usual deputations ..waited on the Minister with reference, to the. question he is investigating, arid invrepl'y ;he followed the. course adopted elsewhere by stating that he was going thoroughly into the matter, and would decide it finally in whatever direction he found would be in- the interests of the country as a .whole from a general railway point of view. This (Wednesday) morning he left at seven o'clock -for, . Tang'iteroria,; w hich is still .further north. It is likely to b-3 a very heavy -day. and includes ' a twenty "mile ride over rough country; in addition to the distance to be cov r ered in vehicles. The party is; to be entertained at a place en route known as Waikiekie, by the . Whangarei Chamber of . Commerce.