RAILWAY MEETING.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 407, 29 June 1880, Page 3

RAILWAY MEETING.

A public meeting was held in the County Council Chambers, Duvauchelle's Bay. on Saturday last, to take into consideration the matter of the Akaroa Railway. Thore was a fair attendance. Mr Dalglish thought it would be advisable for Mr J. D, Garwood to take the chair, as he had all through acted in that capacity, but that gentleman thought it better for Mr Dalglish to fill it as he was the convener of the meeting, which he accordingly did. After reading the notice convening the meeting, he called upon Mr Garwood, who first asked that the correspondence betwrert Mr Montgomery and the Chairman on the subject might be read. Mr Garwood stated that he had received no communication of any nature since the Railway Commissioners had left, and he considered they were very much in the same position as they were when the depu- j tation had gone to Cliristcluirch. ' The Chairman read the Public Works Statement for last- year, from which he urged that there were sullicient funds to carry on the work. Mr Garwood thought the meeting should express a very strong feeling of dissatisfaction with the present state of affairs after the promise of the Minister of Public Works. Mr Gebbie stated that he had heard that a tender had been accepted for the first six miles, but he could not vouch for the correctness of the statement. Mr Coop thought such information most unsatisfactory. They had a member, Mr Montgomery, and if he could not properly represent them and attend to their interests let him resign. If the railway were not made, the Peninsula could no longer hold its own. Mr Williams thought Mr Coop was wrong in referring in such a manner to Mr Montgomery. He thought that gentleman had done a great deal more for the Peninsula than he was credited with. (Hear, ihear.) He went on to show that he considered the Peninsula had been very badly treated. (Hear, hear.) He thought active steps to rectify matters should at once be taken. He "would draw attention to tho fact that Mr Montgomery was not on the side of the present Government, so might not enjoy the confidence he had formerly. Mr Coop stated that he did not blame Mr Montgomery for doing nothing, but that he was now standing still. Mr Brooks thought it would be advisable ■to send a delegate to Wellington to interview the Government on the matter. Mr G. R. Joblm thought Mr Coop not fair in blaming Mr Montgomery. He was no Montgomery man himself, but still he believed Mr Montgomery had done all in his power, and slated that the results were to be seen all over tho Peninsula. He thought Mr Oliver, the Minister of Public Works should be made to keep his promise made in tho Council Chambers at Christchurch, when he stated that he had sufficient funds in hand to lay the line to Lake Forsyth, and devote them to that purpose ,* moreover that he had promised the Little River extension .which he had stated would not have to be dealt with by the Railway Commission at all.

Mr Williams wrs not quite s_re about the latter part.

Mr Joblin thought the Peninsula was greatly suffering owing to the want of a railway to Little River. Mr Coop's mill was closed, and he believed Mr White's would have to bo, >md that meant the desertion of Little R.ver altogether. He would not blame Mr Montgomerj*, but ho would agree with any steps taken to urge the matter on the Government. Mr Garwood said he thought Mr Coop was simply abusing Mr Montgomery, and losing sight of the actual question of the railway, and he did not think it either just t of fair; he must certainly deprecate such * steps. Mr Piper quite agreed with Mr Garwood's notion of the -unfairness of throwing the whole blame of; their (the settlers) dilatoriness, supineness, and want of uniting on Mr Montgomery ; he was not supported , either morally or otherwise. They could not expect their member to be always ramming Akaroa down the throats

of the Government; he would be cried down. To prove the want of unity, he referred to some steps he and Mr Williams had tried to take to form a Vigilance Society some two years back, which had sign Uy failed. He went into a somewhat lengthy report of tho financial state of the Government.

Mr Garwood thought it unnecessary to go into a long discussion of finance, that it was well known that out of all the thousands which had been borrowed by -the various Governments, not a penny had been spent on the Peninsula. He was aware that: it was the peoplo'u own fault; they were a lazy people, and well earned the name of Sleepy Hollow for their county. He thought a strong resolution from the whole comity should be sent to the Governor, although he would not go as far as Mr Brooks in advising the sending of a representative to Wellington. MrJG. R. Joblin moved, and Mr Piper seconded, as a resolution—" That this meeting deplores the delay that has occurred in the construction of the Banks Peninsula Railway. The formation of a portion thereof has been completed for some months, and the Minister of PublicWorks, at an interview held at the Council Chambers, Christchurch, assured a deputation of Peninsula settlers that (ho laying of the permanent way should be immediately proceeded with. This has not been done, and the result is a great injury to the .settlers, and therefore this meeting respectfully urge the Government to proceed with the work without further delay." Carried ; Mr Coop alone dissenting. Mr Shadbolt blamed a Government who could make promises such as the present Government made in this matter, and then broken them the very next day. Mr Garwtod said he believed the only way to obtain their rights was to continually agitate—continual dropping would wear away the hardest stone, and by constant agitation they could worm into the heart of the Government. He would give the same advice as the famous O'Connell had —" Agitate, agitate, agitate."

Proposed by Mr William., seconded by Mr A. Watkins, and carried—" That our member (\V. Montgomery, Esq.,) be requested to impress upon tlie Government the urgent necessity of proceeding without delay with the second portion of the railway to Littlo River."

Moved by Mr J. D. Garwood, seconded by Mr S. Curry, and carried—" That copies of: the two resolutions just passed by this mect'nggbe forwarded by the Chairman to the member for the district, accompanied

by a letter stating the views of the nio«tit.i«f." . '' Mr Garwood proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman for his impartial conduct in th<> chfiir. Suoon Jtrd by Mr Pfper 1 ", and carried.