ultimately Minister and Premier, he did a great deal. He strove hard for the railway connection between Greymouth and Hokitika, which was delayed by the Conservative party. Another stroke of policy was the seizure of the Midland railway in 1895, resulting in the outlet to Canterbury being assured, and later, in 1905, deciding on the Otira Tunnel work. Further, he commenced the railway to Ross, intending it to pass on into South Westland, and commenced the opening of a vehicle road south; the first major bridge, over the Waitaha River, he was able to open on his last visit to Westland. But already he had arranged for the bridging of the Wataroa River, feeling sure the bridging of the Big Wanganui River intervening could not then be delayed. And so an arterial highway was assured for the southern district.
“In other respects, he promoted prospecting subsidies to assist in opening new fields; he fought for the reduction of the miner’s right fee, and the abolition of the gold duty. He had a ready sympathy always for the back-block miner or settler, and where he could, gave all assistance possible. As a pioneer he knew the value of opening up the country and affording facilities for its resources to be used to the best advantage, and his work in that respect must have been of the highest value. He foresaw the plight of the aged miner left
