D.—4.

18

[.I. M. KILLEN.

it by eea. These are my reasons for rejecting the western route in favour of the eastern by means of a junction with the present Whangarei line, and making that for the time being the main trunk line. It would also save the expenditure of a million, while the revenue it would return would certainly be more than the revenue likely to be derived from any line made up the Mangakahia Valley, for years to come. You would also huve a line made up the Mangakahia Valley oompeting with the existing line, which it strikes ;it Kaikohe. The western side only requires the con struct ion of a portion of line north of Kailni, and all the wants of the undeveloped portion of that country could Iμ- met by extending the Kaihu Valley line to Rawene and the Hokianga : but to take the railway across the Wairoa River to junction with Dargaville would be folly. ■'i. Mr. Evans.] What route do you prefer?— The existing route, junctioning with the Main Trunk line at the most suitable point. lam not prepared to say whether it should !«■ at McCarloll's Gap or at a point further north. As tha line has been made, I approve of its being further utilized, but I do not approve of the position it is in. 4. Mr. Ronayne.~\ Whal is your opinion regarding the possibilities of the land 011 the western side as against that on the eastern ronte i — I do not think that the country to the west of the Tangihuas is ever likely to become populous, partly because the river-flats are likely to be flooded, and the rest of the country is hilly and unsuitable for close settlement. .">. Are not those Mats used at the preseni time for dairying?— They are used for grazing; I do not know about dairying. C>. Mr. Stallu-orthji .] You urged that railway-lines should go to the centres, and quoted the Home railways: Are you not aware that the English railways are run to produce dividends lather than to open up country .'—l know that some of them do not produce dividends, while others that go to the centres of population do. 7. Is it your opinion that no railway should be constructed which will not immediately pay?— l do not say that at all. 8. Is it not a wise policy to construct railways in this part of the north in order to develop the country yet unsettled?--It is, and 1 think the construction of this railway on the lines 1 suggest would do it. especially if branch lines were built away from Whangarei into other parts of the north. 9. Supposing a line were constructed through the central route, where would you think would be the best place for it to junction with Whangarei?—lf it junctions from Mangakahia it means a long journey to Auckland : if it junctions to the south it cuts Whangarei out of all benefit. From the north it would mean inflicting great injury on the business people. 10. What about a junction straight out with Whangarei in the north?—lt would lie nunv costly, and not as desirable as the connection I have advocated. I should prefer to gee the junction I have advocated, and the one with Mangakahia and the district to the west met by putting in either electric trams or branch lines from this district into Whangarei. 11. You referred to floods?— Yes, on the low-lying lands between the Tangihua Range and the Wairoa River, I understand that on one occasion cattle were found, drowned by tin , flood, and the carcases were resting 20ft. up the trees. I heard that. I never suggested that it was a frequent thing, but I understand that it is usual for a great portion of the country on the river-banks to be flooded. 12. Have you ever been there in Hood times? —No. 13. Mr. Steadninti.] You stated that the land on the western route was held mostly in pri vate hands/ —Yes. 14. Do you confine your reference to that part which lies between McCarroll's (lap and on to Kirikopuni ?— I understand that it is private land, the greater part being held by large land owners. 15. Mr. Beeroft.~\ Are you aware that the flooded lands on the western side are some of the best dairy districts in the country?— Yes. 15a. And that it is in only occasional Hoods that the stock were found in the tops of the trees) — Yes. 16. You mentioned the heavy freight-charges on goods in the ease of the sparsely settled district of Tangiteroria : dot's not that eeem a good reason why they should not be increased? — The settlers there do not semi their goods to Whangarei on that account. 17. 'Then, again, you intimated that the intention of extending this line to Grahamtown is for the fixed purpose of connecting with the Main Trunk line? —Not with Grahamtown. 1 said that it was taken down the western side of the river with the intention of junctioning with the Main Trunk line. That would be a good reason for building it where it has been built. It would be the only good reason for doing so. 18. The Chairman.] You remarked thai if a line were constructed through Mangakahia one line would Ih' competing with the other : can 1 draw the inference that you are opposed to the construction of the central route? —No; but I think it would be desirable that the country should be opened up, and possibly the line could be taken further north than Kaikohe, so as to tap the north. 19. But I am dealing with the south at present : would it not be unnecessary so long as the Whangarei gap was completed to go through the Mangakahia?—l do not think so; I think it would be very diesirable to put a light railway or tram-line up the Mangakahia for a certain distance. 20. Do you advocate the connection with Whangarei, and the abandonment of the Manga kahia, on account of the population at the Whangarei end?—On account of the population, and the existence of the preseni railway, and the additional convenience it would afford to the people in the north.