DEPUTATION.

Evening Star, Issue 3227, 24 June 1873, Page 2

DEPUTATION.

To-day, at eleven o’clock, Messrs Smith, Farquharson, ahd Isaac Green, deputies from the North-east Valley Road Board, waited on his Honor the Superintendent to ask information respecting the line of railway from Moeraki to Dunedin, and also to inquire if a second line of rails to the Fort is likely to

be laid. They were introduced by Mr E. M’Glashan, M.P.C., and Mr M‘Dermid, M.P.C. After stating the object of their visit, the Superintendent read a letter dated 14 hj June, bearing on the subject. Mr Smith pointed out that the line of road was left incomplete by the promoters of the Port Chalmers and Dunedin Railway,' and that in consequence of the route take* by them the completion of the road would involve an expense of fifty pounds, where, had they taken a different direction, fifty shillings would have sufficed. He inquired if the line was not now under the control of the Proyincial Government? The Superintendent replied that, although the line was under the control of the Provincial Government, it had nothing to do with carrying out Messrs Froudfoot and Oliver’s agreements : that was the work-of the General Government; no matter whethOf they had agreed to spend three or ten thousand pounds on the line of road, the latter were bound to do it. He thought it would he the best to adopt Mr Eichardson’s suggestion and appoint some one to ascertain what was yet te be carried out. He always understood that the promoters had made the offer to complete the line of road on condition that all opposition to the construction of the line should!* withdrawn.

Mr Isaac Green »*fced If anything definite had been done with regard to the Dunedin and Moeraki Railway, as it seemed likely to interfere with the West Harbor road line? , His Honor said nothing had been done as yet. It would most likely join the Port Chalmers line at Sawyer’s Bay. He thought the District Road Board should go on with its operations, irrespective of where the railway is likely to be. Mr Smith : If the settlers go along the railway are they to be prosecuted ? Bis Honor could not say : it would depend upon whether they incurred danger to themselves. Mr M'Glashan said he knew that the children of some families could not get to school without trespassing either on the railway or on private property. His Honor considered trespassing on the railway very unsafe, and thought they should be allowed to pass over private property until arrangements were made. Mr M‘Dermin said the Road Board should

acquire the land, which no doubt might have been obtained for less money had it been purchased earlier. His Honor asked if L3OO was thought too little? .. ~ . Mr Smith would not accept it on the part e! the settlers, as it would be an injustice to them. His Honor said he might state he had not been altogether so blameable in the matter as some people alleged. He had obtained a report from Mr Barr, the late Provincial Kngineer. He had been a long time about bringing it out, but it was at last presented, and it had gone to the General Government. Mr lmith : Mr Barr got as far as Mackerras’s, and said he would not go further. The Superintendent said it was a very elaborate report, and shewed an intimate knowledge of the line. He thought it Would be better to let the matter rest until Mr Bathgate arrived, which would probably be the day after to-morrow. He would suggest roads to be made to the different stations on the line. Mr Smith said that would never do. The Superintendent : Do not you want ♦r, iisA Uia rn.il wav ?

TO use me railway : Mr Smith ; It never would do for the district. A railway is all very well, but it will not answer all purposes. People cannot drive stock on it. Ihe Superintendent : But stock can be carried by railway. Mr Isaac Green ; There is firewood. It will not pay to send it by railway. His Honor : Perhaps firewood might not pay :he could not say. With regard to the object of the deputation, he would leave it to be decided upon when Mr Bathgate returned. The deputation withdrew.