PROPOSED FORBURY AND PENINSULA RAILWAY.

Evening Star, Issue 3605, 11 September 1874, Page 2

PROPOSED FORBURY AND PENINSULA RAILWAY.

. To-day, at noon, a meeting, convened by circular, of “ settlers on the Peninsula, and toose interested in the formation of a railway to the Ocean Beach, For bur v, and the Peninsula, was held at the Provincial Hotel. For som-j reason with which we are not acquainted, the reporters of the various journ *ls were told that the meeting was private, and therefore they were requested to withdraw, Mot understanding the grounds of such exclusion on such a matter, and feeling than on so important a subject publicity is a public duty, we present our readers with the best account of the proceedings we can obtain, not vouching for the absolute correctness of every statement. The meeting was largely attended, and Mr E. B. Cargill was called to the chair. Mr James Smith read a paper showing that so far as the proposed For bury branch was concerned, there could be no doubt of its being a very remunerative investment, and that ultimately the Peninsula branch would be very reproductive. He stated that a survey and estimate had been made by an engineer of the Forbury portion, and that it could be cons runted for L2 500 per mile, while the Peninsula section, extending about 9J miles, would cost about L3U,000, not including rolling stock, as it was supposed that the Government would allow the use of their rolling atook on being paid a peroen age on the earnings of the lines. The Superintendent was asked to express an opinion with regard to the probability of the Peninsular portion proving payable. He suggested that a narrower gauge than that taken as the standard might be adopted, which would considerably reduce the cost, and that the line should use its own rolling stock, and be altogether independent of the Government. He proposed a resolution to the effect that a railwayahould.be constructed to the places named. The resolution was carried Hem. con. Mr ."baton expressed surprise that there should be any attempt to throw a wot blanket over the Peninsula portion of the line, as he considered that, so far from being doubtful, it would prove the best portion <5 the line ; in fact that the traffic would com* pensate any deficiency on the other portion, should there be one. He considered that the Port Chalmers line was barely sufficient for present requirements, which, in the course of a year or two, would increase so mueh that it would be altogether impossible to overtake the work. Although there was a proposal to deepen the harbor, and a Harbor Board had been created, he understood their hands were tied, unless liberated through further legislation in the matter. If a deep water jetty were erected at the Heads, as proposed, that would relieve the Port Chalmers line, and meet the demand for carrying conditions. It was well to take into consideration. A Provisional Committee was appointed to carry out the resolutions and take the necessary steps to have the line constructed Among the names of the committee the following were mentioned to us .-—Messrs R: M. Kobertson J Clinton, R. Raynburn, George Green, William Barron, David Ross. James beaten, M.cholaa J. Coneys, Geo. . Robertson, J. bmith, J. EJliotfe 00 * Taiaroa > ‘ Geo * Robertson, Geo.