SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18146, 8 August 1924, Page 9

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE.

CANTERBURY'S INTENTIONS. (SPECIAL TO "THE PEE3S."} BLENHEIM, August 7. The Canterbury Progress Leagu" wrote to the Marlborough Progress League acknowledging further date >n connexion with the railway, and advising that the work of its committee had been delayed to some extent through the inability of the Public Works Department to supply certain information promptly. The committee did not propose to make it 3 tour of inspection until in full possession of certain information which the Government had promised to s pply. Tho letter was received.

The Minister for Public Works wrote acknowledging the League's protest against, the removal of railway material from Wharanui, and promising to give tho matter consideration. It was decided to write to the Canterbury League pointing out that the Parliamentary session is getting on, and informing it that tho Marlborough League is anxious to send a deputation to Wellington this month, if possible, and asking it to lend support to this deputation if it can frame its policy and appoint delegates in the meantime.

The Awatcre and Kaikoura County Councils advised that they would be pleased to give the Canterbury delegation which was to inspect the railway route every assistance. The Amuri Saleyards Company (Culverden) wrote, enquiring for particulars of the League's steps in connexion with the establishment of a stock route from Marlborough to Canterbury via the Molesworth-Hanmer Springs route. Tho Marlborough Shecpowners' Association wrote assuring the League of its support in its endeavours to improve' the inland stock route. Mr G. H. Andrew reported that Mr F. E. Fairweather was now in ChristChurch, where he was obtaining map 3, etc., in connexion with the stock route from tho Lands Department. They would have their report ready in about a fortnight, and he suggested that a deputation should be set up to go tj Wellington in connexion with the Bhorter route, and the West Coast road in about a fortnight's time. The chairman expressed tho view that it would be better to wait until the Main Trunk railway deputation was ready, but Mr Andrew pleade-i that the matter wa3 an urgent one, aa it was necessary to interview the Minister before the Public Works State ment was brought down. After discussion it was decided to leave the matter of arranging the deputation in the hands of the Eailway Committee, with a recommendation that the deputation in connexion with the stock route and West Coast should include the chairman, Messrs Andrew, Fairweather, Nees, and G. H. Broadbridge.