PUBLIC MEETING AT RAKAIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, Issue 11, 21 October 1879, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT RAKAIA.

A meeting was held at the Town Halb Rakaia, on Saturday evening last, Mr 0. N. Mackie, Chairman of the District Road Board, presiding, for the purpose of considering the advisability of urging upon the Government the necessity of at once proceeding with the work in connection with the Akaroa railway and tunnel. The attendance was limited. The Chairman explained at some length the object for which the meeting was called, and introduced Mr Dickon, of Akaroa, to explain to the meeting the advantages likely to accrue to Rakaia. Mr Dicken explained to the meeting the necessity of having an additional harbor, by which the produce of South Canterbury could find another outlet, and the advantages to be gained by the plains in the event of a break down in the tunnel at Lyttelton. There would also be the further gain to the district of timber being conveyed at low rates from the Little River Bush to a good market in the Ashburton county, and he pointed out other directions in which both Akaroa and Rakaia could mutually be of service to each other. On the motion of Mr B. S. Coster it was unanimously resolved—“ That it is not advisable for the South Rakaia specially to urge the Government to proceed with the Akaroa railway and tunnel.” A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.