SUMMARY.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13412, 9 May 1912, Page 1 (Supplement)

SUMMARY.

THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS

RAILWAY EXTENSION TO MU.R-

CHISON

(From "The Colonist," 4. May.) As a community we havo reason for gratification in tho fact that tho new Minister of Public Works has so soon soon his way to visit Nelson and ,make himself personally acquainted„with the district generally and the actual position of those public works and services under his immediate jurisdiction. We havo in the past been fortunate in having included in the Cabinot Ministers wibh an intimate knowledge of our distt let and its potentialities. The Hon R xlorick McKenzie has been a tower of strength for Nelson in connection with the all-important matter of railway extension, and it was only natural that some anxiety should be felt a3 to the attitude of the new Public Works Minister towards the nipid extension of tho railway to Murcliison. It her, all along been tho contention of those who really know tho country that thin ok tension its to be fully justified on the iivr nt.i of tho caso, and tho battle of tho nr.st has been largely against tho misreprv:-.v.jntations and loose statements of those who were either only superficially acquainted with tho interior or, :is too often was the case, wholly ignorant thereof and were acting upon hearsay. That this class or' opposition is still nlivo and active is proved by the statement of Mr Macdouald to the city member on hi 3 return from a fairly comprehensive inspection of the Murchisyn district. It is indeed highly gratifying to havo an endorsement so imqualified as that of tho Minister as to the value of the district to be tapped by the railway, and his decision to prosecute tho formation of tho line with increased energy. It must be re--memberod that the Minister is a practical farmer himself, a man who for many years, -managed largo estates on behalf of tb« Bank of Now Zealand (ono ot these estate was of no less area than sixty thousand acres); moreover, Mr Macdonald has boon for yearn engaged in valuation work in tho rich North Island districts, r.eting for important institutions and on a largo scale. There-, fore the Minister is peculiarly qualified +o give an expert opinion, and we are fortunate that so early in his term of office ho has acquired at first hand a knowledge of tho country on tho lino of the railway route. Mr Atmoro in accompanying the Minister on his visit to the neighbouring constituency has been serving well his own constituents.