EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3282, 29 July 1911, Page 2

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

THE NAPIER-CISBORNE LINE. PROJECT DISCUSSED BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The Gisborne-Napier railway project was freely discussed by members of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday at the quarterly meeting. Mr Olias. Douglas, secretary of the Napier Chamber of Commerce, forwarded' a resolution passed by that Chamber which read as follows : “That this. Chamber communicate with the various Chambers of Commerce between Gisborne and Wellington with a view to getting a. substantial sum placed on the estimates this session for an immediate start of tlio Napie-i-Gisborne portion of the East Coast Railway from the southern end, and that a deputation, from the Chambers be arranged to wait on the Premier and Minister of Public Works at a later date.” The Committee of the Napier Chamber requested the local! Chamber's support in the matter, and asked that delegates be appointed at the first meeting, so that they might be available when called upon some time during the session. The feeling of the meeting appeared to lie against this resolution, in so far as it asked 1 that a start should be made from the southern end, and after some slight discussion Mr J. R. Kirk moved : “That this Chamber is desirous of promoting the establishment of the East Coast Railway between Napier and Gisborne ami will co-operate with the Napier Chamber in urging that a sum be placed on the estimates for the immediate starting of the ralway at both ends of the line.’ Mr W. Lissant Clayton thought that the resbliit-hm was,, [perhaps, just a little ambiguous, and lie would like them to make it quite plain that the Gisborne. Chamber would assist the Napier Chamber, providing they were willing to support them in having the line started from both ends. Mr Parker said lie was of the opinion that what they wanted was a settlement of the route question in the first place. Other members voiced similar opinions. Mr J. W. Bright, chairman, on Mr J. R. Kirk withdrawing his motion, finally moved to the effect: “That this Chamber will gladly co-operate with the Napier Chamber in urging the commencement of the Gisborne-Napier railway on the condition that the Napior Chamber will join us in our efforts to get the line commenced simultaneously at both ends.” Mr A. G. Beero seconded the motion, which was carried. The appointment of delegates was left in abeyance, tlio secretary in the meantime to write to the Napier Chamber to ascertain when the delegates are to meet. *