MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS AT MOTU.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2500, 13 May 1909, Page 5

MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS AT MOTU.

DEPUTATION FROM THE RAILWAY LEAGUE.

(Special to “Times.”)

MOTU, May 12. Motu was again honored with a visit by one of the Cabinet Ministers in the person of tho Hon. R. McKenzie, Minister for Public Works. _ Tho party comprised Mr. Holmes, Chief Engineer of Railways; Mr. Armstrong. District Engineer; Mr Matthews, the Minister’s private secretary; and Mr. W. D. S, MacDonald, member for the district. Arriving at the Motu at 4 p.m. yesterday they were met by some of the Motu settlers, who were zealous in extending a welcome to the party. The spacious dining-room was well filled by repre sentativ© settlers, who assisted the party in doing justice to the good things provided. The Minister, having signified his willingness to meet the settlers -an adjournment wa made to the school house. Mr. Thomas Elliott, chairman of tho Motu Railway League, presided, with the Hon. R. McKenzie and Mr. Holmes on his right, and Messrs. Armstrong and MacDonald on his left. The Chairman in introducing the visitors said he' was pleased to welcome the Hon. R. McKenzie and Mr. Holmes on this, their first visit to Motu. In bringing the district requirements before the Minister they wished to confine themselves that evening entirely to railroad matters. They did not say they expected the railway must com© through Motu township, but they did want it at least within five or six miles of tho village. The Hon. R. M’Nab told them they did not ask for railways enough, so they desired to emphasise that they w'anted railways. Mr. W. D. S. MacDonald, M. P., then rose to introduce the speakers. This, he said, was only a young district, and great progress was going on. Each ono was endeavoring by his industry to open up this great district, and, further, everyone present belonged to the Motu Railway League or the Motu branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. He would call on Mr. E. B. Thompson to further enlarge on the pressing need of further railway construction.

In rising, Mr. Thompson said ho was pleased to state that this was the second visit Motu had had from a Public Works Minister, and as they benefxtted by the former visit, 60 they wished and bad reason to hope to benefit by this visit. As the district benefited by the temporary siding at Waikohu till the main station was completed seven months later, so they would respectfully ask that a temporary siding be made three miles beyond Waikohu til’, the permanent station in that locality be completed. The country through which the railway proposed to run was good timber-bearing country; therefore they would urge that at least 15 miles more be located and authorised.

Mr. C. H. Bridge, on being called on, said he wished to emphasise some of the great needs of authorising and continuing the construction at least f.>r 15 miles with all expedition. In somo districts railways were built and industries had to be encouraged to give traffic to the railway, but here the country was carrying the best crop it ever would, and the district was crying out for the iron rails to supply timber to those who have none. By the railway the settler would get his asset on the market and provide a ready and continuous revenue in way of timber freight. After the land was cleared the country was splendidly adapted for grazing and fattening, and already the railway had carried more than 50,000 sheep this season; therefore, the further the line pierced the hack country, the greater number of stock would be railed to and fro. Lastly, Motu was highly spoken of as a scenic and health resort. With the introduction of trout into their streams (which was already in hand) and the advent of the railway, Motu would rival many places in its attractions to the tourist and healthseeker. The Chairman showed how devoid the East Coast was of railways, Waikohu and Botorua being 160 miles apart. The Gisborne railway was paying well as far as it went. They wanted it to go further and tap the timber. THE MINISTER’S REPLY. The Minister of Public Works, on rising, was greeted with applause. He expressed his thanks for the heart}’ welcome given by the crowded room (more than 50 being present), and would endeavor to answer the various questions. He thought they were all able to trust Mr. MacDonald to urge on the railway to the Motu. Although he had only been three months in the Ministry, the number of men employed on railway construction was now doubled. “I never heard any suggestion of the railway going anywhere else than Motu,” declared Mr. McKenzie. "I say the railway will come within three or five miles of Motu. (Applause.) The Government will not stop construction on this line, but will push it on. Trade is waiting for it, and. the country will then carry stock which will also see the railway. Re the temporary flag station, I think this matter ought to be provided till the railway gets to the permanent station. Formerly the public works policy was -retarded in the North Island bv Native troubles but now this is all over and work will go on and for every one mile constructed m the South Island ten miles will be constructed in the North Island from henceforth. 'With the present rate of progress we are doing well, and still more men are being put on.” After again thanking the audience for their heartv reception and attendance, the lion Mr. McKenzie resumed his seat amidst applause. The Chairman expressed great satisfaction with the definite proimse of the <; ulster that the railway would como with all speed at least within live miles of Motu, and also on the clear and precise manner other matters were dea.t with. In closing, lie asked that a heartv vote of thanks be accorded the Hon.'Minister, and Messrs Holmes, Armstrong, and W. D. s>. MacDonald, which was"didv and energetically given. The Hon. Mr. McKenzie, in thanking the chairman and meeting for the expression of thanks, assured them the engineers would do tlieir best, to push the railway forward, arid once the present difficulty was overcome Motu would be reached sooner than they expected. The Hon. R. McKenzie. Messrs \Y. D. S. MacDonald, ALP., and Mr. Armstrong (Public Works engineer) left Motu early yesterday morning, an* passed the top camp on the railway construction works at Gold Creek abo.it 2.60 p.m. As the raads were very heavv and the creeks running high., the party did not stop, but went on and reached Waikohu at about o p.m. ARRIVAL in GISBORNE.

Hon. M/. McKctmu came into town by the evening train,-.and put up at tlie Masonic Hotel. 'Ho was met at

the Gisborne railway station by the Hon. James Carroll, who found the weather too rough to- journey to Waikohu.