SOUTH OTAGO INTERESTS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLVII, Issue 9, 30 July 1920, Page 3

SOUTH OTAGO INTERESTS.

| LARGE meeting at balclutha.

PROGRESS LEAGUE FORMED. CLUTIIA VALLEY RAILWAY URGED. The response -to the notice calling a public -meeting of Balclutha -business, men and others interested to consider the matter of urging upon the Government the early construction of the Outlia Valley railway was gratifying in every particular. The importance of the meeting was -stressed by a canvass of the town by two gentlemen who had the interests : of the town at heart, and over 60 gentlemen /gathered in the .Municipal ■Chambers on Tuesday evening.

The Mayor (Mr H. Simson), who presided, said lie -was particularly pleased to see such a large and representative gathering. They were there that evening not to discuss whether the line should be built or not; whether it would pay or not, or which particular Toute it should go, but 'merely as residents of Balclutha to ask the Government to carry through without delay the authorised line to Tuapeka Mouth. He felt that Balclutha -had scarcely received in the past the credit that was due to it. Very few realised the tremendously extensive and wealthy district they were situated in the midst of. If anything ever came of the idea that the lower Clutha River should toe opened 'for ocean-going vessels, and Balclutha was made a -harbour town, and the Valley railway did not run into •Balclutha, the residents of the Upper Olutha Valley and the advocates of other routes particularly would regret it very much indeed. Mr E. J. Boyd said that lie felt like congratulating the residents for the splendid way thev had turned out. The matter of a railway -to Tuapeka Mouth had been a subject of long discussion. Only a few ■members remained of the original league. On the outbreak of war a meeting of tire league had been held in Balclutha, and it was decided not to push for matters of public expenditure till the war was over, butthat- when things became normal again thev would expect to be considered along with the others. On two or three occasions money had been placed on the Estimates for the work, and pressure had been brought to bear on the Government to commence the railway at once, but the war had held tilings up when all seemed bright. Some of the finest country in New Zealand was to Ibo seen up the Clutha Valley, and it only required proper facilities for development. He 'considered that they should urge the construction of the line to Balclutlra as early as possible. Mr D. G. Algie outlined some of the activities of the old league formed in 1909. The Tai-lway from Balclutha to Tuapeka Mouth had been authorised by ■the Government in the Railway Authorisation Bill of 1912, and after getting that authorisation the Balclutha League had been allowed to die down in its activity, though it had since •helped the Tuapeka Mouth League as much as possible. They had entertained representatives of both parties in Parliament, and all had been impressed with the necessity of the line. He held 1 that unless pressure was brought to bear from the Balclutha end the pressure from Lovells Flat, Milton and Dunedin would set the railway in that direction, and the only place that would benefit would be Dunedin.

Mr A. E. Russell gave a resume of recent developments with regard to the railway, indicating the existence of leagues at Pomahaka Downs, Clyde vale, Greenfield, Awamangu and Hillend. He referred to the meeting of the Tuapeka Mouth League at Greenfield, at which representatives of all the 'Other leagues were present and where it had 'been decided to leave the matter of route to outside engineers and press for the early completion of all possible surveys. He contended that while they were rightly entitled as Balelutha residents to press the claims of Balelutha, they should irot endeavour to do anything to disrupt the present harmony of the other leagues interested. ! Dr Brugh asked where it had been intended that the authorised Valley line should junction 'with the imain line. The Mayor replied that he understood that it was at the north end of the railway bridge. Dr Brugh said it seemed that if they went about- the matter systematically they could kill two 'birds with one stone. He considered that the river service should never have been in existence. The liver endowments were, he believed, intended by the original settlers for the purpose of maintaining a fond' to keep the river navigable, not for defraying the expenses of river steamers. He asked what better way they could have of utilising these endowments than for the expenses of dredging the river, and let the ■Government- put a railway up the valley to bring- down the produce of the settlers. (Applause.) ilr Algie said that the River Boards Amendment Act enabled the steamers to fee put on. Dr Brugh held that steamieTs "were put on 'before the Act was passed. ill' E. J. Boyd proposed that the Government be urged to come to an immediate decision with regard to the Chitha Valley railway, and to commence work as early as possible on- the railway as authorised.—Seconded' by ftev, J. Perkins and earried unanimous-

Rev. .1. Perkins, in supporting, said that although it was a meeting of business men, the interests of the business ®en and people of the town were his interests. Be felt that they should dhow the Government that they "were in earnest 'on this matter. Not only Milton' «nd Dovells Plait pulling strong for their side, but Dunedini interesfts were also pulling strong, an<d really felt that they should' show Dniiedin that they were going to stick for their TigihSte with all the force ®By wmW mmistar.

The Mayor, in congratulating the 'meeting 011 the enthusiastic way they 'had got to 'business, said that public men wore inclined to get a little disheartened' at times at the lack of enthusiasm and' backing -which the- public evinced in their work. He Could -assure them t-hmt- in 'his position of 'Mayor it did hearten a mam to -see so many present, and Ire thanked themi for their attendance. They could) now Send tele-grf.-jii'? to Messrs Malcolm! and Edie, M.P.''s, reeling that the .message was really backed lip 'by the whole of the business people of 'Balclutha. (Applause.)

■Mr W. Guest said lie was a member of the original league, and advocated a •long pu-11, a strong pull, and a pull all together. ..The (better to carry out a programme of pressure on' the Governunent, lie proposed that they shoud fonm a progressive league to push the railway matter.

Mr R. R. Stewart asfeed whether the old league could not be revived. The Mayor said Ire thought they should undertake a wider scope. There were other 'matters in the town and district that required attention, and they required a body hat would not be devoted to pushing the 'matter of the railway only. On the 'motion of Mr W. Guest, seconded by Mr A. E. 'Russell, it was decided to form a league, to 'be called "The SOuth Otago Progress League." Discussion then Wok place oni the matter of the number that should constitute 'the executive coinvmittee. Mr B. .T. Boyd thought they should 'have an executive of seven-, and have a large .membership campaign. He spoke of the Kaka 'Point .Welfare Society and l the good work that it had done. The interests -of Balclutha and- South Otago weTe numerous, and 'he really thought that- something in the nature of a progress league was badly needed.

Mr 'A. E. Russell said he' took it that the constitution 1 of the league would be along the lines of the Otago Expansion League and the Canterbury Progress League', and deal with the ad-

vancement of South Otago as a whole. ill- Algie thought that ithey should, form a Chamber of Commerce. There was need for something of that nature in the town.

Rev. .T. Perkins said be had now been in 'the district for about five yeairs, and had often marvelled why so'irae'thin™) in the nature of a progress league had not been formed. They wanted a body to attend to the matter of keeping the river navigable and for other interests. In the district he came from many benefits had been secured by 'the- formation of such a body. He hoped 'that the league would not only result in- the railway being brought to Bal'clutha, but in- many other blessings besides. He felt sure that had this league been in operation' before, Mr Malcolm's Hospital 'Bill would not have been lost. The 'Government liked to feel that they bad somebody at the back of them representing a substantial voting power.

The Mayor said'the formation: of such' j a league 'would piv-e tire Government; some tangible "body to deal with oil' j matters of interest to t'lie district. After f-urt'h'e-r discussion it was de- i cid'ed! to include- in -the motion that the i executive body corisist of IS meimibe-rs, ! and the following were 'thereafter a.p- • pointed:—The Mayor (ex officio) and Messrs E. .T. Boyd, W. 'Guest, J. D. Lan- • d'els, A. E. Russell, T. D. Pearson, Dr j •Brugih, &. E, {Jrigor, Geo. Henderson, D. j G. Algie, I>. Watt, C. G-. Kfrby and J. Jvhnston. . j Mr Hutton asked how provision : would toe made for representation! of . the outlying districts. | Mr Russell held that the- committee nl present could only .be a provisional one representing Balcluflia. If people from the outlying districts decided to bercirn members each miem-ber would lmv» a say toy vote in the election- of a : repr-esentative executive'. ! On the motion, of Mr E. J. Boyd itwas decided that the subscription- -be 2s fid per member per year. j The Mayor said he hoped that- every- • one present would become 'a member. ( Yr 'Bish'op said it would be necessary | to have, rules and regulation®, and thought that some of the other league's of -the kind sWould' be written to for copies of their constitution. —'Agreed