THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 939, 16 April 1880, Page 3

THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.

The Railway Commission—Messrs Curtis, of Nelson (Chairman) ; Col. Pearce, Wellington ; Clarke, Auckland ; Wright, Christchurch ; and Raid, Elderslie (representing Otago) ; accompanied by MrUsshcr, of the Public Works Department ; arrived in Clyde on Monday evening last between 7 and S o’clock, and at S.d) the following morning were on the road again, purposing that night reaching Naseby. During the evening Messrs B. Naylor (member for Dnnstan Riding in Vincent County Council), ■). U. Catnbri Ige, aul George Fieho waited on the Commission, and strongly urged the construction of the Sriath-Taieri hue. Mr Cache, who acted principally as spokesman, spoke strongly against the Commission, not alone rushing through the country in such indecent haste, but by taking the people by surprise, die said that by hurrying through the country the very object sought to be gained, namely, a knowledge of the country, with a view of reporting to Parliament on the adaptability of it for settlement, and as to whether railway lines would pay, was lost sight of entirely ; and further, he said that by eniniug down on the people with one fell swoop and without notice, prevented them from bringing forward evidence of any kind in support of what might be or had been said iu favor of any particular line of railway. lie explained that thousands of acres in Ida Valley ; all along the slopes of the Dnnstan range from Clyde to Nasoby, this latter, im extent of land some GO miles iu length with a depth of from 5 to 10 miles ; also, that magnificent country known as the Maniototo Valley ; only awaited the railway, to be taken up. The course pursued by the Commission in rushing through the country, he pointed out as being worse thin useless, explaining that as the roads throughout the County were invariably con structed along, or as nearly as possible, along gravelly ridges, the opinion would be formed that all the Country on either side was of a similar character. lie strongly urged that the Commission should ,take time to examine for themselves the country, and not depend on outside evidence, official or otherwise. Regarding the official evidence, lie said the up-couutry had had enough of that—instancing the very erroneous report of Mr M 'Kerrow to the effect that the -Maniototo plain was worthless for agricultural purposes. He concluded his remarks by thanking the Commission for the very patient hearing accorded him. The Commission wo notice is accompanied by a Secretary (Mr E. Downey) and a short hand reporter (Mr Mitchell). From the style, however, ot the journeyings of the Commission wc should look upon it that the latter gontlemou’s duties art net very arduous, except that ho Ins to take shorthand notes of the remarks of the individual members of the Commission as they journey through the country at the rate of 8 to 10 miles an hour, and if that is a part of his duty we should then say ho has no easy time of it. The following telegraphic correspondence Ins been placed at our disposal : - Cromwell, 12th April, 1830, 9.40., a.m. To Mr Vincent Pyko, Clyde. The Railway Commissioners will arrive at Clyde about C o’clock this evening. (signed) Edward Downey, Clyde, 12th April ISSO. 10.40., a.m. To Mr Pd war’ll Downey, CromwellWhn are the “ Rvilway Commissioners,” ahd what are their functions ? Vincent Fyke. To this query no reply was vouchsafed.