THE Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1882.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1182, 20 September 1882, Page 2

THE Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1882.

The railway meeting held on Monday evening, was in every respect an unqualified success, and it is quito refreshing to find that there is still some public spirit existing in lleefton. There •\vas not a doubt as to the thorough earnestness of 'those who were present, as well us those who spoke tui the matter under discussion, and if the same heartiness be maintained, here and in Canterbury, there ciiu be little doubt of the ultimate success of tin* movement. The reported dilHculties of the route Wen; demolished utterly by Mr (Jardner, •who Kpou'«' fnun personal knowled> ; v jmd repeat' d in a rather more aiDpliii< d manner, the valuable information lie conveyed to our readers a short time ago in a letter addressed to this journal. ■ c showed conclusively that ti tlioroiujhly jiractic-aUe route can

easily be fon::d, and that the evidence of the Government Mirveyor is not in I the least degree to be relied upon on j the subject. But the public 1 * must distinctly understand, that the matter must not be left to mere statements vithout positive proof, and that when witnesses give evidence before the Commissioners they must have something riiaterial to substantiate; their testimony, Some time ago Mr Woolley, at the instance of the County Council, made a survey of the route in the direction of Christchurch as far as the Cannibal Gorge, and found no difficulties whatever. His survey can of course be readily proved, and as an expert cannot be doubted l>y the Commissioners. Mr Gardner's experience is also p v actical, and being also a professional man, his evidence must carry great weight. He goes further than Mr Woolley however, and disposes of all the troubles, including the dreaded Spencer Kauge, which he shows can without difficulty be crossed. But, irrespective of these gentlemen further proof will be needed, and people must not suppose that the movement, to be a success, can be carried on without far larger funds than the guinea subscription, agreed to at the meeting will In Nelson they are going to $M£ expense of having a thorough 1 survey of the line they propose made, and though with us thfc'.i^ne poiftpmay •notel)£riieqjiurecl, still -gotne hundreds of pounds wiil be needed to fight the battle properly. If an appeal be made to the County Council, there is little doubt that they will assist, and it is a perfectly legitimate matter, in which to expend some of their funds, but at the same time it is not at all reasonable that the County Treasury should bear anything like the whole expense. It will be necessary for the public to understand that they must contribute, and liberally too. The cause is a good one, conclusive testimony can be given in support to the Commission, but gathering up facts and supplying witnesses will cost money, and one of the first questions for the League to consider will be how to provide the necessary funds. n the other side, that is to say on the part of Messrs Robinson, Moore, and others, interested in the Blenheim line, money is abundant, and they will, no doubt, be prepared with a perfect cloud of witnesses to make the worse appear the better reason. But there is this to be said, that the Inangahua district will not be called on to bear the whole brunt of the. cost. As was suggested at the meeting, the IJullor, Grey, and West-land Counties, are interested in the railway route this way, whilst the Canterbury people have already niani- ■ tested their extreme interest in the I question. It will be the business of the Keeftou League to secure concerted action amongst all, and there will be little difficulty in this. A very good suggestion was made by Mr Shepherd tuat the League should endeavor to secure the co-operation of the unediu Chamber of Commerce, as the business people; of the southern city are no doubt anxious to open up a trade with so rising a district as this is, and they can only do so if com. muuicatiou between the places is rendered more possible by a line of railway. Already the line runs between Christchurch and Dunedin, ami the West Coast extension would complete the link. If the same enthusiasm that was shown at the meeting of Monday night be maintained, there can be no doubt of ultimate triumph, but the League must first make provision for money, and iie\fc establish a thoroughly good understand-

ing with all other centres, of population interested in the matter.