MEETING OF THE RAILWAY COMMITTEE.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1185, 27 September 1882, Page 2

MEETING OF THE RAILWAY COMMITTEE.

The adjourned meeting of the Railway League Committee, was held on Monday, evening last, at the County Council Chambers. The chief object was the election of an Executive Committee, from the very large' number of the chief committee. The attendance was, notwithstanding the very inclement weather 1 , large, and the greatest interest was shown in the proceedings. Mr Oxley, on the motion of Mr P. Brcnnan, was appointed Chairman.

In opening the proceedings, the Chairman explained their object and said, that there could not bo any difference of opinion as to the desirability of railway communication, the only question at issue was the route, there were two routes suggested, one that would pass only through agricultural districts, and the other that would pass through large centres of population, and it was for the residents in the latter to secure the line.

The Secretary (Mr H. G. Hankin), read the minutes of the first meeting, ami made a statement respecting what had been done. He had telegraphed to Aniberly, asking for information relative to their working committee there, but had l.een informed iv reply, that there was not one appointed. He called on those present to fulfil the objects of the meeting, by appointing an Executive Committee.

Mr JJoeche suggested that, before anything else was done, it was necessary to confirm the appointment of a secretary, and he moved, that Mr Hankin be appointed. Mr 13rennan remarked that that gentleman had been already appointed at a previous meeting, and if the minutes of that meeting were confirmed, the end sought by Mr Beeche would be secured, lie moved therefore, that the minutes of the previous meeting be confirmed.

This was agreed to, and the minutes were continued.

Some names were added to the committee, including that of Mr Fowler, of the Amuri, who was present, and expressed his interest in the movement.

A.r Brennan said that the names of some persons had been placed on the committee, who had not been consulted in the matter, and possibly they might not act. He thought that the gentlemen present should pledge themselves, to become subscribers of a guinea, as resolved on at the la3t meeting, and as a pledge of good faith. He moved a resolution to that effect.

Mr Stevenson seconded the motion, which was carried without dissent, and a number of subscriptions were at once paid in.

Several gentlemen present, asked Mr Fowler questions in regard to the country in which the alleged difficulties existed. Ho stated what was already known, that the Government were specially favorable to the Picton route, they really intended to compete with the Union Company, in the conveyance of passengers from the south, but instead of killing the company they would be killed themselves, as the company could cany people at far less rates than could be done by the rail. He spoke of the bridge, now being built over the aiau, at a cost of £8,000, which was constructed as a railway, as well as an ordinal 1 } 7 traffic bridge. This bad been projected long before the new loan had been proposed, and was now nearly completed, the line to Hurinui had

been, not only surveyed but was being made, and by tho next wool season would be completed. The Red Post wan the starting point for either the East or West Coast route, it was merely a question, whether the line should branch to the right or left. He spoke of the .Ada and Lewis passes, over the Spencer range, and said, that when Messrs Brown and Thornton made their survey, he showed them the route, and added, that the grades were so easy, that they did not even know when they had passed over the highest point of the range till told that such was the case. On the proposed railway route there was only one river, the Waiau, that would require to be bridged in the Ainuri country, and this would not be a very large work. The Ada would have to be crossed, but this was only a small stream. He gave some further particulars with respect to the country iii that locality, and the manner in which he and others, years ago, made themselves acquainted with it. After getting over the Ada Saddle and the bush, all was open country, and there was no difficulty in constructing a railway to Christchurch, for the country was perfectly level. By way of the Lewis Pass the route would be ten or twelve miles longer or a heavy tunnel would '■aye to be made, but over the Ada there would be no trouble. As has been stated by Mr Gardner, the Maruin, river cut right through the heart of the Spencer range, and into the Maruia all the rivers of the district fell., » There would be no difficult cutting of any kind along the route. By this a railway line Would be open all the winter, for snow never fell in sufficient quantity to stop any train. He stated further that all the bad part of iiie road would not exceed two or three miles. If the Tophouse route were chosen, they would require snow-sheds for thirty miles distance, and to open a road there, as was being done, was merely for the accommodation <>f a few shepherds.

Mr Byrne proposed and Mr Clifford seconded a vote of thanks to Mr Fowler for the valuable information he had given thorn, and the resolution was carried most heartily, and duly acknowledged.

It was then resolved on the motion of Mr Griuve, seconded by Mr Cuch ratio, that an Executive Committee of twelve, five to firm a quorum, should be appointed. An amendment that it should number seven, was lost. Tho following gentleman were chosen, Messrs Brennan, Beeche, Lee, Collings, Gardner, Hindmarsh, Wise, Graham, Will an s, Potts, Campbell and Gardner.

Mr Oxley. was unanimously chosen as Treasurer.

On the motion of Mr Wise, seconded by Mr Jacobsen it was agreed that all regular committee meetings should be oj'O.i to the public.

This concluded the business, and the usual vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings, it being arranged that tho Executive Committee should meet immediately afterwards.

Tho Executive Committee subsequently held a meeting when Mr P. Brennan was appointed permanent Chairman of the League.

It was resolved that the "ecrotary communicate at once with T. S. Weston Escj, M.H.R, for Inanyahua, and tlio Colonial ."ccrotary, in order to ascertain the namo3 of the gentlemen appointed to act upon the Railway Commission, the scope of their instructions, and the thno and place of meeting. It was further decided to communicate by wire with the Grey County Council, the Main Trunk I ailway League, Nelson ; Mr E Weeks ; Mr Thorntog^and thcTMayor of Christchurch reflectively, inviting their cooperation in furthering the aims of the League. The date of the Executive meetings was iixed for Fridays in each week, at the Cruncil Chambers. The meeting then adjourned.