WAIAU CULVERDEN RAILWAY.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14836, 29 November 1913, Page 14

WAIAU CULVERDEN RAILWAY.

MEETING OF LEAGUE.

VOTE GIVES SATISFACTION.

Thero was a full attendance at a special meeting of tho Railway League held at Waiau on Thursday evening. Mr Pettigrew presided. The Chairman said that all present would know tho object of the meeting; that was to consider the reference made in the Public "Works Statement to tho Culverden-Waiau railway. , The sum of £5000 was-voted, and personally he must confoss to being sorely disappointed. He would have preferred almost that no vote had been provided than the very small amount they had received. If possible, he was more disappointed than last year, when there was no money allocated. This year ho had expected* that at least £20,000 would bo voted. However, they must be satisfied. He had great faith in the present Minister of Public Works, and Mr Eraser had no doubt a very hard row to hoe. The demands on his exchequer were enormous, and probably he had done his best for them under the circumstances.

Mr Foster endorsed the president's remarks, but pointed out that the Hon. Mr Fraser was in favour of the contract system, and by that means~tho £5000 would bo made to go a long way. Mr Beavan said that new railways were, not generally started until the early-autumn, and that after the end of the financial year (M,arch 31st), the Government could. spend unauthorised money. If , formation work only was proceeded with, a ■ very respectable length could be formed ready for sleepers and rails by next. year. Looking at all tho details, he thought it was satisfactory. , Mr J. Lee condemned the president's attitude. When he looked at their past record —i.e., that of ten years prior to last year, they had every reason to be pleased. The Hon. Mr Fraser last year authorised the line, and also effected the necessary survey. Now he had put on' a sum' of money to proceed further. Compared with past history, it was excellent, and he thought Mr Massey and his Government wero to be congratulated. The Chairman ruled this as being close to party politics, but Mr Lee disclaimed any such intention. He was merely stating a plain fact, which was apnarent to everyone. Mr Gale eaid they had every reason to be satisfied, and all their energies must be devoted to seeing that a start was made, and that at an early date. After some further discussion, Mr Gale moved the following .motion: — 'That the Waiau Railway League ear tny congratulate the Minister of Public Works on placing tho sum of £0000 on the Estimates for a commencement with thp. work of constructing the Culverden-Wniau railway and consider that the Government has shown that it is in earnest with its proposal, and though we would have liked to we a larger sum allocated we trust, seeing that all nreliminary work is completed, that the Minister will nee Ins way to make a vigorous βtart with the work m the immediate future." Mr Foster seconded the motion, waich was carried tmanin^oosJy.