OTAGO RAILWAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10755, 29 April 1913, Page 1

OTAGO RAILWAYS.

PRAISE FOR THE COUNTRY. MR HERRIES'S APPRECIATION. [From Our Correspondent.] DUNEDIN, April 28. Replying to a deputation on Otago railways, tho Minister of Railways, tile Hon *W. H. Herries, admitted that during his present tour of inspection through Otago and Southland ho had been surprised at the class of land. He was afraid to say, however, that, that applied more particularly to the land he had seen in Southland. Of course, he had very little opportunity to see much of the country the deputation, had spoken of to him. '"Now," he continued, "you want new railways, and you are going the right way 'to get them. You lose no opportunity of advertising the country. It was a Very good idea of yours to get the North Island members down to see the country, and, from what several of them told me, they were greatly impressed with the oountry. You ._ are working on tho right lines, but I cannot tell you when fruition will take place. You have two strong representatives in the Cabinet, the Hons J. Allen and W. Fraser, who know every inch of the country, and you may be sure that they will help you to get something done. So far as I am concerned, I hope to be able, perhaps, next year to go over the routes spoken of and see' a little more of the country than I have had a chance of seeing on this visit. "You know, naturally enough, that the whole question depends upon the English mone" market. We have to wait for the Hon J. Allen's report as to the prospects of future loans, before thinking of any extension of the public works policy. The Government do not intend to abandon the policy of opening up the country for settlement. We know that it must be opened up, but the nuestion of how much is to he opened up in the immediate future depends upon the nature of Mr Allen's report. So far as I am personally concerned, I shall always have pleasant recollections of my visit to Otago."

Employer (to his cashier): " I don't know what to think of you; every time I see you you are asleep!" Cashier: "Well, sir, -surely it's a. good sign that I have a clear conscience!''