THE PREMIER'S COUNTRY TOUR.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 8944, 19 December 1907, Page 5

THE PREMIER'S COUNTRY TOUR.

OPENING OF A NEW BRIDGE AT MARTINBOROUGH.

(By Telearanh —Press Association.' WELLINGTON, Last Night

Tho Premier reached"*Featherstou. from Taihape, at 12.30 o'clock, to-day aud was driven by motor car to Martinborough, where he was met by Mr J. T. M. Horusby, member for the district, aucl the members of the Town Board, aud tendered an address of welcome by Mr M. Ross, Chairman of tho Town Commissioners.

The Premier, replying, said that while motoring from Featherstou he had had a line of suggested railway pointed out to him, aud whilst he could uot make auy promise he was pleased to have the opportunity of seeing the country. He went on to say that he was pleased to see the progress that had been made in the revenue and the increase of population which was vow nearing the number necessary for the formation of a borough, aud he would be pleased to do all he could to assist, Martinborough iv obtaining that cud. Referring to the railways he said that whilst the Government had been able to grant concessions to the extent of £800,000 the revenue from railways was about £3,300,000, which showed the remarkable prosperity of the dominion. This was uot brought about by any boom, but by steady and iurcreasing industry of the people generally. Representations were made to the Premier, urging that the railway should be constructed from Featherstou to Martinborough.

Mr Horusby reminded the Premier that he had promised to have a flying survey made of the suggested route which, he said, presented no engineering difficulties. The residents of the district were prepared to offer a guarantee similar to that uuder which the Paeroa line had beeu constructed by takiug up debentures aud allowing the Government to take over the line whenever it felt disposed.

The Premier, in replying, said that there were seventeen different lines now uuder construction in the dominion, aud demands were being made from all parts of the country for the opening of new lines. He could only reiterate the statement made before that no new lines could be taken at present. The sum of • £775,000 was beiug expeuded ou the seventeen lines, of which £330,000 was for the main trunk line. When this latter was completed, as it would be before Christmas next year, they would then get iuto reasonable limits again for other railway developments. The finances of the dominion were sound. Last year more mouey had been expeuded on public works thau any period for the last twenty-five years, with the exception of one year. He mentioned this to show what was being done by the Government. He realised that the linking-up of Martinborough to the railway service would be of great use to the settlers. He acknowledged that he had promised Mr Horusby that a survey should be made of the route, but he could make no specific promise in regard to the construction of the line. He could only say that Martinborough would be considered when any new proposals in regard to the new lines were being considered next year.

Later in the day the Premier was enterained at a banquet, after which he proceeded to the Huaugarua river, some three miles from the township, where he officially opened the new bridge over the river connecting Martinborough with the roads leading to the East Coast.

The bridge was christened Hikiwera Bridge by Mrs John Martin, out of respect to a Native tribe of that name. The Premier subsequently visited the Maori meeting house, after which he entrained for Wellington.