GISBORNE-MOTU RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1080, 23 December 1903, Page 3

GISBORNE-MOTU RAILWAY.

DEPUTATION TO MR CARROLL,

A meeting of the East Coast Bailway League Swas hold yesterday Afternoon for the purposo of meeting the Hon. James Carroll, and discussing matters in connection with tho GisborneTe liaraka railway, most of tho local bodies in the district being represented. His Worship the Mayor presided, and in opening tho proceedings conveyed to Mr Carroll Christmas and Now Year greetings. Mr Townley pointed ont that siuco last year tho Motu district had made wonderful progress ; a first-class dairy factory had been opened, and telophonic communication with Gisborne had been established. The Railway League desired to assist the district by urging upon the mcm ber of tho district and the Government the more speedy construction of tho lino. (Applause.) At the present time in New Zealand thore were only two districts in which the number of meu employed on tho railway works wore less than they were in

Gisborne, and this state ot affairs should not bo allowed to continue. The Bast Coast was an important district, and was entitled to better treatment. It was third county in the colony in the number of sheep that it carried, and was firth in tho number of cattlo and horses. In exports they were third on tho list, and there syere many reasons why they should be more generously treated in regard to public expenditure. Continuing, Mr Townley pointed out that tho number of mon employed at the tunnel had been greatly reduced, and the formation works were at a standstill. Tho further survey of the route had also not been gone on with as had been promised. The summer time was tho season of tho year for this work, and it should bo put in band at onco. By the end of March the bridge would be finished, and instead of tho lino to Te Ivaraka being then opened as was promised

they would find thore would ho a great gap whilst they awaited the completion of the formation works and laying of rails, which all the while should be going on. He hoped that the member of the district would take advantage of his visit to the district and go and soo tho Jlntu, and he

convinced of its requirements \ Captain Tucker, as Chairman of the County Council, endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker. He was certain that- the electors of the district were looking forward hopefully to seeing the line pushed on to Motu with all possible speed, and would he greatly •di.sappoint?d if it were not." Every inch that the lino was carried meant a great increase in its earning power, and improved the prospect of the line paying. The first ten miles of a railway never did pay, but the returns so far had been most encouraging, and justified the

.Work being expeditiously pushed forward lie was sure that the people of the district would be glad to see .Mr Hall-Jones visit the district. (Applause.) Mr Reos, in a strong speech, urged the claims of the Gisborne-Motu railway, receiving more attention from tlie Government than they were at present doing. The settlers were preparing for the line, and the route from Te Karaka .should at once he determined on. The survey should be put in hand at once. (Applause.) Mr Whin ray was convinced that if the Government undertook the construction of the line to theMotu it would prove a wonderful paying concern. To build a tramway, and to replace it with a railway was like doing the work twice over, and was a great waste of energy. If th? Government put their shoulder to the wheel the line to the Motu road would be completed in less than two ■years. Mr W. B. Common, as representing tlie Chamber of Commerce, fully endorsed what had fallen from Ihe previous speakers. As soon as the railway reached the Motu, it would become a profitable and paying business. Mr Carrol! was in a position to do a great deal for them, and no ■doubt would do. his best.

In Mr Carroll reciprocated the kindly greetings extended to him, and adding that he was heart: and soul with them in regard to tlie project that they were advocating. It was not so long ago that the question of the railway facilities to he afforded to the district was mooted, and the progress made was as satisfactory as at that time anticipated. At the outset, they had strong oppos'd, on both locally and outside, but this lvad disappeared, and those who spoke against tlie line were now for it. . (Applause.) After making lengthy reference to the progress that the district had made, Mr Carroll said lie was at one with the .speakers in regard to the survey from Te Karaka to Motu being at once put in hand. (Applause.) lie was sure that his colleague, tlie Minister of Public Works, would favor this being done, and they could look for support from the Bay of Plenty, where a strong agitation was going on in regard to railway matters, 'l’lic whole of the population of the Bay of Plenty, and also of Auckland, were now urging the olaims of the line ; they were using all llieir powers because their interests were ‘involved. Referring to the dismissal'of men from Te Karaka end, Mr Carroll said that when the bridge fnmnlnlptfl it. wniilrl ho. triflimi

was eompieieg_.iL would oc a wining matter to finish the formation and liavo the rails laid. As soon as the bridge was completed, they wouldbe ah Te Karaka. (Applause.) If the bridge and tunnel were completed to-morrow, they would go full speed ahead, and the balance of the line would not take long. The formation was little or nothing. As regards the survey from Te Karaka,: the work must be done in the summer, as it was less costly and more .satisfactory to all concerned. They could rest assured that on all occasions he would do his utmost to forward the interests of the district. (Applause.) The Chairman reminded Mr Carroll that the bridge would he finished some time before the turmC], and unless extra men were at once put on .they would he waiting some months for the completion of the tunnel. Mr Carroll promised to bring the matter under the attention of the Minister of Public Works, and have the work pushed forward. The following resolution, proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Mr Gaudin, was unanimously adopted : “ That this meeting of the East ,Coast Railway League extends a most hearty invitation to the Hon. Hall-Jones, Minister of Public Works, to visit Poverty Bay ; and,, in doing so, feels confident that such a visit must he of the greatest utility— (1) in ascertaining the urgent necessity of the more rapid construction of the railway to Te Karaka ; and (2) in determining the route ol the railway thence to Mot u.”

A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings.