CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE COUNTIES OF VINCENT AND MANIOTOTO.

Dunstan Times, Issue 943, 14 May 1880, Page 3

CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE COUNTIES OF VINCENT AND MANIOTOTO.

Present—V. Pykc, Esq (Chairman) and Councillors Colclough and Pitches (representing Vincent County), and J. Ewen, Esq. (Chairman) and Councillors Rolland and Shannon (representing Maniototo). The following resolutions, as having been agreed to by the two Counties, were the grounds for discussion In re the construction of the Central Otago Railway—1. That the delay which has taken place in the construction of the Otago Central Railway has been inimical to the interests of the Otago (Provincial District, and especially detrimental to the welfare of the interior. 2. That the Government be requested to carry out in its integrity the will of the Parliament repeatedly expressed by the more speedy construction of this important line of inland communication. In re the settlement of the lands—1. That the deferred payment system is not most suitable to the requirements of the Goldfields Districts. 2. That the Government bo requested to open a fair proportion of lands within the Counties of Vincent and Maniototo under the agricultural lease system, Mr Vincent Pyko was unanimously elected Chairman After a lengthy discussion on the railway question, I It was resolved— I “ That a deputation, consisting of Messrs De Latour(M.ll.R. for Mount Ida), V. Pyke (M.H.R. for Dunstan and Chairman ot Vincent County Council), J. Ewing (Chairman of Maniototo County Council), and C. Colclough (Mayor of Cromwell and member of Vincent County Council), proceed to Wellington to urge the following 1 considerations on the lion, the Minister of ! Public Works—

“ 1. That the Otago Central Railway was distinctly recognised by Parliament as

one of tho most necessary lines, and the construction of which ought not to be deferred. “2. That extensive reserves were set aside by the authority of Parliament with the object ot providing funds for its construction.

“ 3. That great injustice will be done to these great interior districts if the above lino bo not proceeded with immediately, seeing that they have derived no benefit from the lines already made, and leading a short distance into the interior, and will under tho property tax have to contribute towards payment of interest on an expenditure which lias not benefited them in the slightest degree. “ That the attention of tho Corporation ot Dunedin and the Chamber of Commerce be drawn to the present position of matters in connection with the Otago Central Railway, and to the fact that its speedy construction is as important to that city as to the interior.

“ That copies of the resolutions arrived at by this Conference he forwarded to the Municipal Council of Dunedin and to the Chamber of Commerce, also to tho Taieri County Council. “That it he strongly urged upon the Government to construct the Poolburu section of the Otago Central Lino its order to provide work Jor the'unemployed, which will have the effect of absorbing them amongst the interior scttlcrs'as’Svell as expediting the formation of the line. “ That the system of opening up lands exclusively on the deferred payment system is not adapted to the requirements of the people on tire goldfields of Otago, nor best calculated to promote settlement thereon ; and that the Government be urged to cause land in each block to be opened under tho agricultural lease system.” The Conference then dissolved with a vote of thanks to tho Chairman.