REEFTON RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1182, 13 October 1882, Page 2

REEFTON RAILWAY LEAGUE.

The following additional correspondence has been received by the Secretary of the League, on the subject of the ast and West Coast Railway : — Cliristcliiu-cli, Sept. 27th, 1882. My deak Sir. — I thank you -for your telegram just received. Some of the friends to the East and est Const line met yesterday, and after discussion, it was decided that the accounts of the promoters should be closed, and that such, with a report from the directory, should be laid before a full meeting, called for next Tuesday evening at my chambers. There is a hope expressed that a new ■company may '^tffMPiodj' ta enter into a

provisional contract with the Government and thon (o place the matter before the London .market. All the Kcofton people can do is to agitate, and provo to the Government tho necessity: for the prosecution of the work, .in substitution of, orin addition to, any other line at present arranged for. There is muuh displeasure expressed here in regard to the central line to Blenheim. I concur, and in the liouse I acted upon it. With beat wishes. I am -etc., T. S. Westcw. To the Chairman of the Railway League Reef ton, Ist Sept., 1882. Sir. — I have the honor by direction of the Committee appointed at the public meeting held at Sydunham, on the .".Oth August, ult, to forward to you copies of the following resolutions, which were passed at their meeting on Saturday last, and to respectfully request that you will endeavour to give effect to the same. I have the honor to be, Chas. Allison. Hon. Secretary. Resolutions above referred to : — 1. That the Canterbury and Westland Members be written to, urging them to impress upon tho Government the necessity of causing a careful survey of the railway route to the West Coast, via Reefton, to be made forthwith, and to get a share of the new loan appropriated in the Loan Bill now before Parliament, for the purpose of constructing that line. Also that the members be requested to inform the Committee whether they are in favor of constructing the line or otherwise. 2. That the local governing bodies along the route of the proposed railway be informed of the action taken by this Committee, and that they be requested to call public meetings to obtain expresions of opinion in favor of constructing tho line, for the guidance and support of the representatives of their districts in Parliament on the question. The following was received from Nelson. City Council Chambers, Nelson, 4th Sept., 'lßß2. 1 IR. — A Committee has been appointed by a public meeting in Nelson to watch over the interests of the city, and its neighbouring districts in the matter of the proposed extension of the main trunk line of Railway, (South Island from Hurunui to Picton. This committee at its first meeting directed me to address you, and the Chairman of the other western County Councils, proposing co-operation, so far as their interests and, those of Nelson maybe found compatible on this question. It is obvious that no possible route can be less useful and acceptable to the whole of the northern part of the Island, a portion of * arlborough alone excepted, than known as the Coast line, and recommended by the Engineer in. Chief, Mr Blair, in a late Report. So for then, as resistance to this project is concerned, there can be little doubt that the communities westward .of the Wairau can combine unanimously. I am however, desired to express the wish of the Nelson Committee, and they believe of their constituents, to do whatever may be possible and politic to meet the views of the western Counties, by endeavoring to modify the route known as the Inland, or Central line* in a westerly sense, so as to make the connection with | the Grey basin and the lower Builer and | its tributaries, the Maruiaandlnangahua, \ shorter and less costly than they would be by the route as hitherto sketched out. If you think there is any possibility of such an arrangement meeting support in your County, or that on other grounds a Conference would be desirable, I am desired to say that the Nelson Committee will be glad to join in it with members of the Councils or representative Committees of the western Counties. The Committee has not learned how soon thb proposed Royal Commission is likely to begin its work, but, as it may possibly be desired by the Government to hasten its report, I venture to ask you to use all promptitude in considering this letter, and in preparing the case of the County for the consideration of the Commission. The Nelson Committee are actively occupied with the collection of evidence as to tho character of the northern territory and its mineral and other resources. I am, «S"c, Ed. Everett, Chairman of the Nelson Council. To the Chairman of the County Council, Inangahua.