PROPOSED BRANCH RAILWAY TO OUTRAM.

Evening Star, Issue 3656, 10 November 1874, Page 2

PROPOSED BRANCH RAILWAY TO OUTRAM.

A public meeting was held at the Drillshed, Mosgiel, last night, to consider the desirability of having a branch line of railway from Mosgiel to Outram, via North Taieri. Mr William Tnompsan was called to the chair.

Mr Donald Reid gave the meeting his views on the proposed route, versus that by way of Greytown and Oatram. He thought the people of Outram would be studvin* their interest best by uniting with the Mos“ giel residents in this matter. As far as he found from railway statistics side lines seldom paid or gave satisfaction, whereas regular branch lines with regular passenger trains at stated hours were generally remunerative were a success. Here it was proposed to givea siding at the cost of LB.OOO or a regular lino at L20.00Q. His remarks were simply as their representative and a resident—not as a member of the Provincial Government. As a representative for the district he felt quite confident that the '■ -overoraent would construct the branch line, but that through the action of the Legislative oonncil the proposed branch lines were delayed. Mr C Findlay was of opinion that the route via North Taieri hud claims on the railway system which was being inaugurated superior to any other branch line in the Province ; that it would pass through 10.000 acres of cultivated land < f as good a quality as an> in the Province, and thit in the event of ihe line not being constructed 4,000 tons of produce would be lost to the main trunk line. He quoted from data that had been carefully prepared, and moved—

That the proposed branch railway from Mosgiel to Outram, via North Taieri, already sanctioned by the Provincial Government, is, in the opinion of this meeting, the best line for the district, and the line that will secure the gieatest amount of traffic to the railway system of the Province, and that a deviation from said route will be a great injury to the district. Mr Jouy Shaw seconded the resolution which was carried, ’

Mr James Shand, M.P.C., hoped that he would not be charged with lukewarmness, after taking an interest in the Grey town and Outram route. He didjuot blame the residents of the North Taieri for desiring to push the railway in their direction. He would like to see railways running wherever they were required, for if the farmers wished to compete fairly with their neighbors they must get despatch in conveying their pro duce to market; but be feared they would have to wait too long if they only relied on the Government. The people of West Taieri required immediate communication, for they were farther back from bunedin than the other Taieri folks, and Groytown route promised to be the shortest, and therefore by f&r the quickest; for them ; but he would be would be willing to assist and urge the proposed route, as he was interested in the welfare of the district.

Mr Peikr Day moved, and Mr J. Brown seconded—

A ,T liat ~ deputation, consisting of Messrs Reid, Allan, Shaud, Findlay. c3haw, Thompson, Roberts, hmail, K B. Cargill, Young. Brown Andrew, Snow, and Day, wait upon his Honor the Superintendent, and urge the necessity of proceeding with the construction of said line as soon as practible.

This resolution was also carried neni, con. A vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs Keid and Shand, as district representatives, and to the chairman, after which the meeting dispersed.