ONGARUE-STRATFORD RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 815, 12 May 1910, Page 2

ONGARUE-STRATFORD RAILWAY.

.—. — J. . I INDIGNATION MEETING. PROTEST AGAINST INACTIVITY 081 GOVERNMENT., A largo indignation meeting was held in the Niho iS'ihi Dairy I'actory . on Saturday, May 7, to protest against the inactivity of the Government in not making an attempt to start the Ongarue railu-ay from the.Ongarue end. Mr. 11. J. Bunne, who was elected to the chair, stated that the Government were not only remarkably slow in fulfilling theil pledge regarding this railway, but paid little attention to the justifiable claims of the settlers. Several settlers stated ■ their grievances with no uncurtain voice, , Finally the chairman rose, amid cheers, and invited the meeting to frame resolutions, one to be forwarded to the • l'rime Minister, and one to the Minister for public 'Works. Tho following is the resolution to be forwarded to the Prime Minister (proposed by Mr. J. Garvey, , seconded by Air. K. Weinberg) :—"That this meeting protests against the inactivity of the Government in fulfilling their pledge in. , connection with Onyirue-Stratford Railway, and expresses indignation at the attitude of the Minister for PublicWorks, tho Hon. E. ITKenzie, to the deputation wlibh waited r.u him at Wellington; that this meeting also petitions tho Sight Hon. the Prime Minister to do his utmost in forwarding the con-/ struotion of the line from Ongaroe end." . The resolution was carried unanimously. , The following resolution, to. be forwarded to the Minister for Public Worke, tho . Hon.. R., M'Kenzie, was then, proposed by" Mr. Turner, and seconded by Mr. C. A. Manning-.-"That this meeting is of the opinion that little or no regard is being paid by you as Minister for Public Works to the much-needed construction known as the OngarueStratford itailway, and petitions you, in •■ your capacity' as' Minister for Public'!"-' Works, to urge, the Government to fulfil their pledge, of many years standing, to commence the railway at Ongarno end. This pledge has been dangled, before the . eyes of the electors of Ohura ever since the Government took office, and the settlers respectfully petition you to furnish the date when the first iSod will b£ turned." Tho resolution was carried . amid loud applause, and. a vote of thanks was accorded tho chairman.