PUBLIC MEETING AT ASHBURTON.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 89, 12 September 1874, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT ASHBURTON.

One of the largest public meetings ever held at the Ashburton township, and represented by all classes of the community, took place in the hall of the library on the evening of September 9th, to take into consideration the desirability of forming a light railway, from the township to Mount Somers lime, coal, and stone quarries, and Alford Forest Bush.

Mi J. Ward on being called to the chair in a few remarks opened the proceedings, congratulating the meeting on the interest they were beginning to take in what appeared to .him would prove a permanent advantage, not only to the township and district, but also to the province at large. He was glad to see that the residents were at last about to try and help themselves, for of all kinds of help in his opinion, self help was the best, and-if persevered in would produce the most satisfactory results. He would not detain them with any more remarks of his own, but -leave-to those who would follow him to demonstrate the advantages that would arise if the matter, the desirability of which they were that evening '.met to .consider, were carried out. He would therefore call upon .Mjr Bullock to move the first resolution. , t r “ V.-,- - r Mr Bullock on coming forward, said he must, express his regret that the resolution placed in his hands that evening, had not fallen to the lot 'of a more able person, one who : could.’do. full ’justice to the important matter which it contained; a feeling which he had no donht/thistlarge afad very inllucntial audience "would share to the utmost. Nevertheless, he would .briefly state the advantages that seem bound to arise from the construction pf this railway, especially when placed in comparison with some other branch lines that have .been made through less populated districts, and when the ultimate prospect pf success was much more limited. With these few remarks he would move the following resolution, viz;—“ That in the opinion of this meeting it is expedient that a lightTailway should be constructed from the Ashburton township, to the Mount Somers coal, lime, and stone quarries, and to Alford Forest Bash.’?C-> * - -

The resolution was briefly seconded by Mr Cambridge and carried unanimously. The chairman then called on Mr Friedlander to move the next resolution, which was as follows : deposits of coal, lime,' stone, and other minerals known to exist in large quantities in the neighborhood of Mount Somers, and the almost inexhaustible supply of timber in Alford forest, this meeting is of opinion that a light railway to these parts would pay a handsome profit in the cost of construction,” Mr Friedlander said in moving this resolution he would just express his gratification and pleasure on ■ meeting so large a number of residents as were present on that occasion. It was quite evident that great interest was taken [in the subject that had called them together or they would not have left their homes on such an inclement evening. He might state that there were some six or seven thousand ■ acres of timber in Alford forest waiting for want of cheap and speedy carriage to be brought into the market, as well as an almost unlimited quantity of coal and other minerals, but which at present are locked up for want of the very item they'were met to consider about. He might also state on the authority of their respected member for the district, Mr W. C. Walker, M.P.G., that a sum of money had already been voted for rails for this identical railway as far back as two sessions ago of the Council. Without detaining them any longer, as there were a number of speakers to follow, he begged to move the resolution Standing in his name. The Kev J, Harris Wills, on rising to second the resolution, said he had very great

pleasure in doing so, because h« was convinced that the advantages that would arise from thedevelopment of the minerals and other resources in the Mount Somers and Alford Forest districts would be almost incalculable. Ho would mention as an instance of what he had heard this day from very good authority in Christchurch—viz, that the Mount Somers’ stone can be delivered in Christchurch at 3d per foot less than that now used there. At what much lower rate could the same material be delivered if brought by rail from the quarries, instead of, as now, being carted nearly thirty miles on drays. Indeed, he had very little doubt that if their railway was constructed, a trade in stone would be at once developed—not only all through the colony, but even to Melbourne itself, as this samples that have been sent there have received universal commendation from the hands of practical builders, &c. He might also state that Dr Haast has pronounced an opinion that the coal lately found at Mount Somers was the very best that had yet been discovered in New Zealand. He would therefore urge upon this meeting the importance of continuing to take an earnest interest 'in the matter, and not to rest satisfied until they had succeeded in obtaining this very desirable object. The Chairman then put the resolution to the meeting, and it was carried without a dissentient. He then called upon Mr Alfred Saunders to move the next resolution. Mr Saunders, on rising, said he sincerely congratulated those present on their attendance on that occasion, and must express it as his opinion that much has been lost, not only in this district, but all over New Zealand, by the residents neglecting to meet together to discuss matters affecting the general interests of their respective districts. He could not say that he altogether agreed with the latter part of the last" resolution, inasmuch as he held it as a principle that railways should not be constructed simply with a view to profit, because, if constructed for the purpose of making a large profit, they would not fully develop the resources of the district through which they passed. The Government, in his opinion, should construct railways, roads, and all other necessary works from the funds derived from the sale of land without any reference whatever to profit. With reference to their own district, the want of building materials at a reasonable rate had been hitherto a great drawback to their prosperity. Owing to its high price at present they were totally unable to accommodate the population. In fact, were building materials more within the reach of moderate means, he maintained that hundreds, nay even thousands, more would have been resident amongst them. Again, fuel was another serious item, and both these indispensable articles would by the construction of this railway be brought within easy reach of all. And not only should they in this district reap the benefit, but it would also materially contribute to the development of the main line from Christchurch to Dunedin. As the gradient from Mount Somers to the township is a gradual decline, the line should be worked at a very cheap rate, and thus enable them to export their mineral products and timber at payable and profitable rates. Nor should it be forgotten that this line would pass through a very large agricultural and pastoral district, which is rapidly being brought under cultivation. Ho must certainly say that they appear to him to have a very good case to go to the Government with, ami that it would be their own fault if they did not persevere until they obtain what they require. He had, therefore, much pleasure in moving the following resolution, viz:—“That, taking into consideration the fact that the Ashburton township and neighbourhood must of necessity be large consumers of the materials above-mentioned, and also being situated midway between Chris,tchurch and Tiraaru, as well 1 as being the (shortest practicable route between Mount Somers and the main trunk line of railway, this meeting isof opin ; ou that the branch line should be brought as direct as circumstances will allow to the Ashburton township, thereby furnishing a good and necessary line of communication through the centre of a very large and important agricultural district, which has contributed largely to the land revenue of this province.”.':'.',' ' r ' r /„ Mr Stitt briefly seconded the resolution, which on being put to the meeting, was carried unanimoflsjy. r , T; 1. [) . ■ i. • Mr Duncan Cameron briefly moved the next resolution, as follows;—•“ That the opening, by a branch line of'railway, of these undeveloped resources, would greatly conduce to the increase of traffic, and also of profit, on the main trunk line of railway.” The resolution being seconded by Mr D. Williamson, was put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. The chairman called on Mr Poyntz to move the next resolution, as follows ; “ That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the member for the district in the Provincial Council, requesting him to support the same in the Council; and that the resolutions passed at this meeting be forwarded to the Government by the chairman.” Mr Poyntz spoke with considerable force upon the importance of this resolution being acted upon , with promptitude and energy, more especially in view of the coming changes, as shadowed forth by the recent resolution of the General Assembly. The resolution having been seconded by Mr Vincent, was put and carried. Mr Saunders then addressed the meeting on the importance of forming some tion for the consideration of political anil social matters connected with the interests of the district, and mentioned several subjects of importance which might be advantageously discussed at such meetings. It was suggested that a memorial might materially assist the resolutions passed at the meeting, provided it was signed by the inhabitants of the district. One was written out at once, and signed in the room, and taken by gentlemen for further signatures through the district. The meeting then terminated.