MASTERTON-WAIPUKURAU RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 790, 13 April 1910, Page 5

MASTERTON-WAIPUKURAU RAILWAY LEAGUE.

■ ■' "V ',>'■■ [-.[■"■ The annual general meeting of the above league, was held at Pongaroa on Saturday last, Mr. John M'lntyre, chairman of executive, presiding. In giving a resume of the work of the last deputation which interviewed the Minister for Public Works, the chairman said they had been courteously received by the Minister,' who maintained that it was inadvisable to . commence surveys, of railway routes before the whole question was duly considered and authorisation given, and he had made no rash promises, which : was always safe ground. .'. Still,. the deputation had no cause for. despair—quite the. opposite. It was simply a case of ways and means, xf a light : line were adopted,. it would cost less, and be constructed sooner than the ordinary line. . ' - . Mr. James. MTDonald, .another of the delegates, also spoke,'endorsing the views of the chairman. Jn his opinion, now that the East Coast railway had been authorised, which in a far less thickly populated and improved district, there was every hope that the MastertonWaipukurau line would receive the early and favourable consideration Of the Government, and steps be taken for its authorisation.

The secretary congratulated the delegates on the work they had done. After discussing the position, it was moved by the chairman,, seconded by Mr. A. Herbert, and carried:/' That the secretary be instructed to write to the Minister for Public' Works, pointing out that, seeing the East Coast railway has been authorised, and that the guarantee of 3 per cent, is quite easily available here, it is advisable that the MastertonWaipukurau line be also authorised, as it would 'run. through a far more thiokly populated and improved district than that of the East Coast." .

Mr. John M'lntyre'was re-elected chairman and treasurer of the executive for the ensuing year. .".■'.. Mr. Patrick B. Ligertwood was reelected secretary, and the following members'of executive representing Waipukurau, Weber, Horoeka, Wnihi, Pongaroa, and Eakaunui were also chosen:—Messrs. J. Mlntyre, P. Nielsen, A. Herbert, J. M'Crae, Jas. M*Ds>nald, G. Gillam, A. M'Donald, E. Eobertson, and J. Bowie.