MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1183, 16 October 1882, Page 2

MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE RAILWAY LEAGUE.

This Committee hiet on Friday evening last, at the office of the secretary, Mr H. G. Hankin. There were pi'esent : — Messrs Oxley (chair), Gardner, Williams, Lee, Potts, Graham, and the secretary. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. A long letter was read from the Nelson Railway Committee, fully explaining their views on the question. It stated that the Committee were preparing comparisons in all respects between the East Coast route, and the Waiau, Acheron, and I Wairau valley, known as the Central route. These to refer to the .population served by the respective lines, the fitness of the I territory passed through for settlement, and its mineral resources ; similar considerations as to the districts indirectly , benefitted by each line, and the importj ance of theitcoiipections and ramifications, and lastly, 'the length, gradients, cost of construction, maintenance, and working. The letter stated that the committee were j already well advanced in these points of enquiry. They thought that lines could diverge to Reef-ton and Ahaura, to join the | colonial line already commenced, at j Hanmer Plain, Clarence river, and Tophouse, and they asked, if that was in accordance with the views of the League, | that the^ latter should collect statistical information similar to that being gath red by themselves. It was further stated, j that the Kelson Committee would be reI presented before the Commission by a I professional advocate. They enquired what proposals existed for connecting Brunnerton, keefton, and Christchurch, ; and which one found favor here. It was stated that the services of Mr Rochfort, C-E. liad been secured to go over the central route, and a copy of tho instrucI tions given him was enclosed in the letter. In conclusion the committee expressed themselves as very sanguine as to their efforts being successful. This letter gave rise to considerable discussion, it being apparent to members present, that. .the route., proposed by .Nelson, would practically leave Keefton out in the cold altogether, and that united action on the basis proposed was altogether out of the question. ; Ultimately Mr Potts proposed and Mr Lee ' seconded a resolution, which was carried, '. to the following effect. " That the secre- j tary communicate with the JVelson Committee by telegraph, explaining that, ] in the opinion of the League, and in order ' to serve the best interests of both the In- ' angahua district and Nelson, the extension j ;of the railway from the Ked Post, should i be by way of the Ada Pass and the Cannibal Gorge, to the Maruia plains, from which point lines should diverge to Nelson, by way of the head of the Buller, ' and to Reef ton, to join the Grey Valley ' line at the Ahaura." ' \ Another question arose as to whether, ■ in connection, with the royal Commission, ' any instructions had been, or would be £?iven its^Uiembers, to enquire into the route by wTly of the Spencer range, and Cannibal Gorge, and it was resolved at ] once to communicate with th o Government ] on the subject, so as to set the matter at rest. ( Mr Wise moved, and Mr Gardner sec- £ onded, "That the secretary telegraph to ( the Government, enquiring whether the 6 Royal Commission has had, or will have, t tiny. instructions to investigate a railway line northwards from Christchurch, by x way of the Cannibal Gorge and Keefton. In case no such instructions had been . given, that the Government be most respectfully requested to do so before the 3 Commission commence its sittings. " The c resolution was- carried, and telegrams on j both the above resolutions were forwarded on Saturday. t This concluded the business, and the Committee then adjourned till Friday next. * '