EAST COAST RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1998, 6 February 1907, Page 2

EAST COAST RAILWAY LEAGUE.

A mooting of the East Coast Railway Longue was hold yesterday afternoon in the Borough Council offices. I’rosent:—Messrs Gray (in tlio chair), Matthews, DeLautour, Kidd, McCrodie, Hi mill, Kennedy, Whinray, and Gnu din (secretary). Mr Gaudin apologised for the absence of the Mayor, who was attending n funeral. 'J'lio minutes of the last mooting were read and confirmed. The Chairman moved the following resolution: “That this mooting urges upon tlie Government the necessity for the immediate opening of the line to Waikoliu bridge in order to avoid tlie dangerous cliff cutting which was impassable for traffic during last win tor.* *

Mr McCrodie said that the formation of the line was practically finished so far as Waikohu bridge. Mr Kennedy: Is the tunnel finished ? Mr McCrodie: Yes. Mr DeLautour: Do you know how many hands are employed now? Mr. MoGVedie: About hall'-a-dozen. Mr. DeLatour: At that rate it will be a long time getting to Auckland. Mr. Gaudin said Mr. Townley had told him that if a strong resolution were passed and forwarded to the Government, that they would have the fine open before the winter. Mr. McCrodie said the line to Waikohu could not bo opened before the winter, but that to Waikohu bridge could. Four men were platelaying, but were hampered for want of sleepers. Mr. Peckover said it was child’s play, and the district seemed to be treated with silent contempt. In reply to a member, Mr McCrodie said the line could be opened to Waikoliu bridge very easily. Mr DeLautour seconded the resolution.

Mr Kennedy said that the Motu people wore anxious in this matter, and desired the opening of the line. There wore also people in other localities who were equally desirous of having the line opened. Ho did not think that the Government would in any way oppose this, for all were strongly in favor of it. Mr McCrodie said that the road above the bridge was not yet made. Mr Kidd said that during the winter time the cutting was impassable. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr DeLautour moved the following resolution :—“This League expresses its regret that no practical progress is being made with the Gisborno-Ro-torua railway, and ventures to respectfully urge on tlie Hon. the Minister that a vigorous prosecution ot the work and of the survey of the future extension he proceeded with, and a copy of this resolution be sent to the chairman of the Auckland Railway League and other leagues interested. He said that Auckland was doing what it could to obtain radii ay access into this district and to Tauranga and Opotiki), and lie thought that, they should work hand in hand together. He did not think it could be taken as offensive to point out a fact to the Minister regarding the line. He understood that it had been promised that an officer was to he engaged to proceed with the survey, but nothing had been done so far. 1 ’ “ m , The Hon. Captain Tucker, who came in after the first resolution was passed, suggested that tliev should add to the resolution the following words —“and at which at least one person had lost his life.” It seemed to him one of the strongest reasons for adopting the resolution. Tlie meeing adopted the suggestion, and the words were added to tlie resolution. , , The Hon. Captain Tucker seconded Air DeLantour’s resolution. Air AVhinray said it seemed to him that the short length of line they had was a political sop. It seemed to him extraordinary that the Alinister should he deaf to so many representations made to him. For some inscrutable reason they could not get tlie work pushed oil. It would pay the district to raise a loan, and carry out the work themselves. The Government were getting sleepers from Australia when they could get them in that district. The line was not less important than the Alain Trunk. The resolution was carried unanimously, and the proceedings then terminated.