MIDLAND RAILWAY THIRDS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11508, 14 February 1903, Page 4

MIDLAND RAILWAY THIRDS.

MEETING OF DELEGATES., The delegates of the local bodies interested in "Thirds" of the land alienated to the aridland' Railway Company met at tie A. and P. Association's rooms yesterday, Mr J- O'Hallorau being in the chair. There were present also:—Sir George Clifford (Chairman of the Waipfra Road Board*), Mr H. F. Wigram (Mayor of Christchurch), Mr W. A. Banks (Chairman of the Ashley Road Board), and Mr J. wrkht (Chairman of the Eyreton Road Board), Mr A. B. Milton, Mr J. T. Dickinson, Mr G. P. Williams, and Mr M. DbconT . , Aα apology for absence was received from Mr C. A. C. Hardy, M.H.R. The 'Chairman reported that, a letter had been received from Mr A. W. Rutherford to -the effect that the Government had, decided to pay over to the local bodies interested the Midland Railway's'land thirdfe. If the statement were made on Gfovernment authority, the Chairman -said, it would settle the matter. Unfortunately, however, Mr Rutherford was not present, although he had been invited to attend-. Tie Chairman explained the facts upon which the local bodies claimed the thirds. On the motion of Sir George Clifford, it wae resolved that the Government be requested to consider the claim of the local bodies to the thirds. ~_,., Sir George Clifford said its would certainly be advisable, before the Conference took any eteps, that Mr A. W. Rutherford should be seen, when it could 'be ascertained, exaotl'y whether the Government were_preparwl to concede the thirds asked for. There was no doubt but that? the thirds were required: for the construction of necessary roads in the district. As long as the justice of the claim.was admitted, the local bodies might be prepared to allow the payment of the money to «'.xteiid over a. a&ries of years. He thought tne Conference might pais a resolution requesting the Government to consider the claim of the local bodies to the thirds in -the Midland railway landls, and to arrange for some method of early payment of the same. A resolution to this effect, moved by Sir George Clifford, and seconded by Mr M. Dixon, was carried. ■~ ■ Mr Dixon considered that the Government might bond over some of the lands instead of paying actual cash to the local bodies interested. Mr Banks- saiti that anything affecting the prosperity of the country district* affected Ohristchurdh, and that was why the Mfcyor of Ohristchurch had been invited. The Mayor eaid at seemed to him that the Conference had a very fair case, and. it appeared , from Mr Rutherford's letter that the matter had been (settled- He considered that Mr Rutherford should be eeen, and more definite information obtained from him. .The Chairman reported that the Waipars road district was entitled to £25,868 1& 3d of the thirds, the Ashley and Kowa districts combined to £11,310 0s 2d, tin Ashley district alone, in addition to iti share of the foregoing, was entitled t< £6684 14s 6d, the Oxford Road Boar< £2225, the Eyreton and West Eyretoi districts to £5371 Is 4d, and the Wai makariri-Aehley Water Supply Board wa entitled to £6(396 Is 4d. These figures, the Chairman stated, had been obtains from a statement supplied by the Sut veyor-General to the Waste Lands Com mittee. ;

Mr Dixon then moved—" That this Conference would respectfully suggest to the Government that the time waa opportune for reserves in the Ashley County Council to be allocated to each of the local bodies in proportion to their lost reserves." Mr Banks seconded the motion. Sir George Clifford considered) it should be left to the Government to suggest a scheme. If a resolution were passed contrary to the general policy of the Government, it might have the effect of prejudicing the chances of the Conference in getting what they wanted. Mr Dixon replied that as the local bodies in the pact had been Tefnsed cash paymenta, he thought the Government might agree to allocation of the reserves. The Chairman suggested that Mr Dixon's motion could be adopted at ft subsequent meeting, if Sir George COifforft resolution had no effect. ... Sir George Clifford consioiered that wifchr out sending up a formal resolution the Government might be informed that the Conference would be willing, to accept reserves instead of cash. ■ Mr Dixon withdrew his motion on this understanding. It was decided to write to Mr A. W. Rutherford,' informing him of the wishes of the Conference. A vote of thaniu to Mr O'Halloran, for presiding, and for the work he had undertaken in connection trith the agitation for the thirds, proposed by Sir George Clifford, and seconded by Mr A. B. Milton, was carried unanimously.