GISBORNE-MOTU RAILWAY

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 921, 20 June 1903, Page 2

GISBORNE-MOTU RAILWAY

DISCUSSION AT COUNTY COUNCIL.

RAILWAY LEAGUE TO BE RESUSCITATED.

The question of the more speedy prosecution of the Gisborne-Mot,u Railway was discussed at. the Cook County Council meeting yesterday ’afternoon. The subject was introduced by the Chairman, Captain Tucker, who referred to the fact that Opotiki and Auckland had been bestirring themselves in regard to the East Coast Railway, and that Gisborne would also have, to hustle in regard to the same matter. lie urged upon the Council the necessity ol resuscitating the Railway League, and doing all in their power to bring pressure to bear on the Government so that the line would be extended to the Motu. In Auckland and Opotiki the people were alive to the

question, and Gisborne should not be supine or passive over it.. They ought to be really alive. The Council should pass a resolution urging upon the Government the necessity of immediately carrying the line to tlie Motu, and tliuiice to Opotiki. Every effort should he made to reform the Railway League and galvanise it into life. Or Gray agreed with the remarks of the Chairman. The pushing forward of the railway meant everything for the district, and they should concentrate all efforts upon it. Cr Clayton thought the Government should he asked to consider the question of railwaying the whole district. Four years ago a survey had been carried from Napier to Hangaroa, and it had stopped therm The Government, lie thought, might just as well have finished it while they were at it.

Cr Gray said that Mr Macfarlane was President of the League and Mr Bright was Secretary. The Council should write to .Mr Macfarlane, and ask him to convene a meeting at as early a date as possible. Cr Clayton urged the advisability of having a district railway rather than seeking another outlet. Cr Gray : It is really a most important thing to this district. It is cheaper to open up;the country by a light railway than by roads. Cr .Matthews said that the member for the district was in sympathy with having a railway to the Motu straight away. It would pay to have district lines. They could have one from To Karaka to Waipiro, running up the Waihora Valley to Kanekanae, and another to ‘Mangatu. For the present, light lines would do, and they would add tremendously to the prosperity of the district. He was glad that the Chairman liad brought forward this matter, and he would exercise all liis energy to help to further such a good cause. Cr Gray said that the Government seemed to be against light railways. Gr Matthews said that recently he had been speaking to several engineers on the question, and they seemed to think that there was not much difference in the actual cost of the formation.

The Chairman said the. district way entitled to have the line taken to the Motu without delay. There was no doubt that the line so far had proved a success.

Cr Gray thought it would he necessary to send a deputation to Wellington on the matter. The Chairman moved the following resolution : “ This Council respectfullv brings under the attention of the Government, the very great advisability and need of the inland settlers for the extension of the present line of railway to Molu. This Council hopes that the returns which have flowed from the present very short line will have been sufficient guarantee of the proceeds in the future. The Council would he well satisfied with the narrow gauge line through that part of the country in the Mutu district.”