NORTHERN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4127, 14 October 1884, Page 3

NORTHERN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Auckland, Ibis day

At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday the committee submitted a report that the resolution to call a public meeting to protest against the adoption ol tho central route for the North Island trunk railway he rescinded. The committee's report was adopted unanimously. After some discussion the following resolution was moved by Mr Graves Aicken and seconded by Mr J. G. Firth :— "That this Chamber, Avbilst believing the western route for the North Island trunk railway would bo the best for the commercial interests of Auckland, and most immediately remunerative to the colony, resolves notwithstanding to recommend the Auckland representatives not to obstruct the central route as recommended by the committee of the House, but to endeavor to obtain a pledge for tho _ construction of a branch to open up the district to the westward of the main line ; that the Auckland members be requested to press forward Avithout any delay the completion of the survey and the Avork of construction of the lino decided upon; that this resolution be telegraphed to each Auckland member." Mr S. Vaile moved as an amendment:—"That the central route would be acceptable to Auckland provided the construction of a line to Taranaki, commencing at a point about 100 miles from Te AAvamutu, form part of the scheme, and that its construction be proceeded Avith as soon as the point indicated is reached." Mr J. M. Clark pointed out the expediency of pursuing a middle course, viz., that of facilitating the raising of a loan and of urging on the construction of that portion of the line common to both routes, viz., 50, miles south of Te Awamatu, and to secure the postponement of the final selection of the route till next session, the Stratford line in the meantime to be surveyed. Mr Vailc's amendment having been put and negatived, Mr Clark moved an amendment gmng effect to his views. Mr M'Millan seconded. After some discussion Mr Clark's amendment was put and negatived. Mr Aickcn's motion was then carried. There was a full meeting of the Chamber. The previous one was a thin meeting, and tho North Island trunk line question accidentally cropped up.