AKAROA RAILWAY BILL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 228, 24 September 1878, Page 2

AKAROA RAILWAY BILL.

PUBLIC MEETING,

Friday, September 20^

.i In consequence of trje serioqs opposition the Akaroa Railway Bill had met with at the.hands; of the Waste.' Lands Committee, Mr EJ C. jLatter, Chairman of the Truet, called a meeting of ,the inhabitants of this town fm Friday sa aa,,to obtain an expressions opinion \with. regard to the action of the Xfovernm , e>it*'lri"''4;he matter. At the hour appointed, a large number were present in the TWn Bafl, and on the motion of Mr Latter, his Worship the Mayor was voted to the chair. His Worship explained that the meeting had been called somewhat unexpectedly by the Chairman of the Trust, who considered the question to be laid before the meeting one of very great importance. He would now call on Mr Latter to address the meeting.

Mr Latter said the Eailway question was one of such importance that he need not apologise for asking the inhabitants to meet him that afternoon. He would put before them such facts as he thought would warrant their framing a resolution to strengthen the hands of their* member in the House. As was well known the Bill had passed the Lower House, and its second reading in the Lsgislative Council. On the completion of the survey and report, the members of the Trust thought their duties were at an end. Mr Montgomery was present at the last meeting of that body, and had gone to Wellington with the intention of asking Government to construct the necessary works, but. when he got there, he was given to understand that it was for the benefit of the work that the Trust should be continued. As shewn by the Public Works scheme, certain lines were to be made, but as some years must elapse before these works were completed, if the Trust undertake the line, it would not take any longer in its completion. Mr Latter then read clause 9of the Eailway Bill, shewing that the works of the Trust had to be sanctioned by the Governor from time to time, so that the underestimated cost of the tunnel was not a sufficient reason for rejecting the Bill. After the second reading in the Upper House, the Bill had been referred to the Waste Lands Committee, and on Wednesday last he had received information that the opposition there met with would probably prove fatal to the Bill. The Government Engineer shewed that the estimated cost of the tunned was too low by £100,000, and that though not possible to get the line to Akaroa, it could be got as far as Little River. He believed it was the opinion of Government that the lineshould go to Akaroa Harbor, and that this would be done if the work went with, the others mentioned, in the Public Works Scheme. Mr Latter then read various te?eegrams received, shewing the fate of the Bill in Committee. Mr Montgomery's last reply with regard to the action taken being that he considered the decision of the Committee conclusive, and thought that the Bill would not be further proceeded with, as the underestimated cost of the tunnel had produced such an favorable impression. Mr Latter the.n telegraphed back, drawing attention to the clause of the Bill already mentioned, and stating the disappointment felt in the district at the unexpected turn affairs had taken. To which Mr Montgomery replied that he had requested Mr Hall to arrange that no further action be taken with regard to the Bill, until he had conferred with him and Mr Macandrew. Mr Latter proceeded to say that the entire objection to the Bill was that the Engineer had underestimated the cost of the tunnel, and he could not see that any weight should attach to such a reason. The Trust were not competent to judge of the cost of such works. The Engineer had shewn instances of tunnels being constructed at £10 a yard forward, and had put the cost of this one at £18. If there was sufficient endowment, he could not understand why they could not construct the tunnel, and after all the cost could only be arrived at by tenders. If they passed a resolution representing the blow that must fall on the district if there was no certain prospect of the railway being carried out, it would strengthen Mr Montgomery's hands when conferring with the Minister for Public Works, and he felt sure that the Government would offer ho opposition to the construction of the line. Mr Tosswill said he could hardly be called a resident, and perhaps was scarcely entitled to address the meeting. He had always, when a member of the Provincial Government, taken great interest in railway matters. He was of opinion that all endowments should go toward making the tunnel, that done, the*est was easy. Any resolution they framed that, day must be very carefully worded. He thought that the value of the land had been incorrectly estimated, and that thej increased value would suffice to carry out the whole line.' A line from Lincoln to Little Eiver would pay better than " the v line from Oxford to Te.nuka, and he could see no reason why such a line should not be made ; but he would urge that the resolution embodythat the proceeds of endowments should go to the formation of the tunnel. The.Chairman thought the views of the last speaker embodied the opinions of all present. He agreed with • him that the ' chief thing was to got the ■tunnel made, and held the same views with regard to the increased value of the land, ' He was sorry that, just us the efforts or! the Trust soemed certain of completion, this blow should fall ; but he thought that there was something which as yet was not apparent, that hud upset the Bill. He did not think it right that the action of a few should upset what had passed both Houses. He hoped some one would frame a resolution embodying Mr Toswill's expressions. Mr J. D. Garwood said he had not been present at the commencement of the meeting, and desired to know what the meeting was called for. The Mayor explained the object for which the residents were called together. Mr Garwood asked if the meeting was called to consider the action of the Legislative Council or the Government. Mr Latter, in reply, proceeded to explain his reasons for calling the meeting. Mr Garwood .said ho would certainly protest against the whole-of the endowment being taken by Government for a railway to . Little River. He was of the same opinion as Mr Tosswill that they should be expended on the tunnel; Mr Latter said that even if the tunnel cost £140,000, the endowments would meet it. ' .

"• Mr A. G. Wiggins thought the views already expressed would meet with general He had endeavored to bring the same views before the public. He would move the following resolution :— "That this meeting has learnt with surprise that the Akaroa Railway Bill has met with such serious opposition in Coinmittoe , That to appropriate the . endowments of the Trust towards making the line from Lincoln to Little River would, in the opinion of this meeting,.'be unfair, and serionsly prejudicial to this district." Mr C. W. Bridge seconded the resolution which was carried unanimously, and on the motion of Mr Garwood the Mayor was requested to forward it by telegraph to' Mr. Montgomery. Votes of thanks to Mr Latter and the Chairman terminated the meeting.