RAILWAY FROM OUTRAM TO MANIOTOTO.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 152, 8 June 1877, Page 2

RAILWAY FROM OUTRAM TO MANIOTOTO.

The question of opening up a large portion of the interior of the country by forming 1 a railway from Outram to the Maniototo Plains, was brought up at the meeting of the Taieri County Council on Friday last. Mr J. Roberts moved — That the Council having taken into consideration the opening up of the interior of the Provincial district of Otago by railway, resolves — 1. That it is very strongly of opinion that the first route for such railway is by way of the Taieri river. 2. That this Council requests the various members of the Assembly representing the districts included in the County of Taieri to use their best endeavours to secure, during the comingmeeting of Assembly, the making of said railway by the Colonial Government. 3. That failing the Colonial Government undertaking the construction of the said railway, the Chairman is hereby requested to undertake the necessary steps in accordance with section 122 of the Public Works Act, 1876, to get such powers as will enable this Council to construct the said railway as far as the County boundary, provided the General Government are prepared to increase the Council's borrowing powers for this purpose, and to grant to the County land which shall represent a value equal to the cost of such railway. 4. All such land so granted to this Council to be under the control of the Waste Lands Board, and shall be administered by it ; but all revenue derived from the sale or leasing of such land shall belong to the County, and be applied to the payment of interest and sinking fnnd of any loan which may be raised on account of the construction of such railway. 5. That the clerk be instructed to transmit to the Chairman of the Maniototo County Council a copy of the foregoing resolutions, with a request that they be placed before the next meeting of the Maniototo Council, with the view of securing an expression of opinion upon them, and this Council expresses a hope that the Maniototo County Council will heartily co-operate in securing the object of these resolutions. In speaking to the motion, Mr Roberts said : I need hardly say that I have taken a good deal of trouble in drawing up these resolutions, and making them as full as possible. It may be urged that no survey has been made, but from the careful enquiries I have made of Mr Arthur and others who are well acquainted with the course of the river, I am led to believe that the line is quite practicable. There may be some engineering difficulties over a few miles, but nothing to prevent the line beingmade. I think this is a matter in which we are called upon to take action. We find the Northern people are taking it up very actively. A great many people people say, " The Oamaru or the Palmerston people will not get it, and you will not get it either." But this, like all other things, must be asked for before we can get it. We all know what agitation, and strong representations, and perseverance in one course can bring about in politics. If those representing the district in the Assembly insist upon it and are determined to get it, I have no doubt we shall see the railway made. Anyone who knows the country must admit that this is the only line that opens up the interior properly. By way of Palmerston, the line would have to cross over a saddle at Pigroot 2000 ft. high before it could get on to the Maniototo Plains, and it would then only tap one end of the Plains. The same may be said of Oamaru. Tbe Marewhenua Pass would be a greater obstacle, and such a line would not open up tbe Plains. The line I propose — from Outram to Strath Taieri — would traverse the whole ofthe Maniototo Plain — from the lowest corner to the highest. The construction of the line to Clyde would be a very simple matter. This route would open up every interior plain we have on this side of the Dunstan Ranges, and would open up all the land fit for settlement, Of course it is a matter of great importance to this Council that the line should be made by this route if possible. If it is made along the Taieri Hiver, the increased value of property alone would be of great importance. At tbe end of the resolutions I have pointed out the powers which I think would be required. I find, according to the Public Works Act, that we have no power to borrow ; and if the Government decline positively to take up the matter, then by this resolution it will devolve upon the Chairman of the County Council to engage a solicitor to draw up a Bill to be introduced into the Assembly giving us power to construct | the line, and giving us borrowing powers and a grant of land. I provide that the grant of land should not be controlled altogether by the Council, but should be placed under the administration of the Waste Lands Board. The fifth resolution affirms the desirability of submitting a copy of the reso- I lutions to the Maniototo County Council. I have taken a good deal of trouble in preparing* these resolutions, and in communicating officially with the Maniototo County Council. The Maniototo Council meets on Wednesday next, so I trust that if this Council takes the same view as I do, they will pass these resolutions, . so that they may be inti*

mated to the Maniototo County Council at its next meeting. Mr Burns seconded the resolutions, and Messrs Shandand Allan also spoke very strongly' in their favour. The resolutions were ultimately car* ried unanimously. The following resolution was also passed : — " That the Engineer be instructed to make a flying survey of the proposed railway from Outram line to the interior — one by way of the Taieri river, and another by way of North Taieri as far as Strath Taieri, and to report at next meeting of the Council."