CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1402, 13 August 1878, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A special meeting of the members of the Chamber of Commerce was held at three o’clock yesterday afternoon, at the offices of the Chamber, Cashel street east, for the purpose of taking into consideration the best route for the construction of a railway between the East and the West Coasts. The following members of the Chamber were present —Messrs John Anderson (president), C. VV. Turner (vice-president), Sir Cracroft Wilson, the Hon. J. T. Peacock, and Messrs McDougall, Aikman, Cunningham, Allan, Gould, J. S. Jameson, L. E. Nathan, Pavi't, J. Studholmc, Baker, W. D. Wood, Henderson, J. Cameron, R. H. Wood, F. Jenkins, Eevans, G. Booth, Macpherson, Fletcher, A. C. Wilson, J. Inglis, Harley, Hassal IKiver, Pratt, Stead, Hargreaves, H. S. Smith Blakiston, A. Duncan, D. Craig, E- J. T. Ford, and Hannah. The Chairman said he would first of all call upon the secretary to read the advertisement convening the meeting, and also a telegram that had been for war'ed to the Hon. John Hall on the subject, which they had now met to discuss. Mr Bird having read the advertisement, proceeded to read the telegram, which briefly stated that a meeting of the committee of the Chamber had resolved to call a full meeting in reference to the extension of the railway from Amberlcy to the West Coast with a view to strengthen the hands of the Canterbury and West Coast members, and those who were endeavouring to carry out that work. The Chairman said the advertisement and telegram just read would fully show them the object of the meeting. They had met that afternoon to consider what would be the best steps they could take to urge upon the Government to open up the country by a line of railway right through from Christchurch to the W est Coast. It was quite unnecessary for him or anyone else to point out the great desirability—he might say necessity —which existed not only for this side of the line, but for the whole of the South Island; indeed, he might say the whole of the colony. [Hear, hear.] The necessity for something being done in the matter was daily increasing Trade and traffic would increase rapidly on this side of the coast as soon as the line was made, and on the other side in an equal ratio. The requirements of the productions of the other side of the island must naturally increase when they had a means of transporting them to a ready and even increasing market. [Hear, hear.] The time had now come when it was absolutely necessary to open np the West Coast, for, in addition to coal and timber, they had many other materials that only lay waste where they were. Both coal and timber were of excellent quality—two commodities that were particularly required by this community. [Hear, hear.] They were aware that there was an agitation going on with a view to getting the line made from Dunedin instead of from Canterbury. They all knew the difficulties and the expense that must necessarily attend such a route. The distance alone was immense when compared with that from Christchurch, because they had the line from Christ -hurch to Amberley already constructed and opened up. In addition to that there was that portion of the line surveyed and the construction of it to be entered up m almost immediately between Amberlcy and Hurunui, and that would open up a, large and excellent district in the Amnri con try. T here were thousands of acres of land in that district which were destined to bcomo as vain bio as somo of the best agricultural land in the province of Canterbury, and that was saying a very great deal. [Applause.] In addition to that, communication would be opened up with other blocks of land <f a very valuable character. Grey mouth. Hokitika, and in fact all the ports ol the West Coast, must benefit by such a through communication. He was sorry lie had not got any statistics that ho could lay before them ; but although be had endeavored .to obt in such at the public office ■ in Christchurch, he had been unable to do so. They were not to be obtained. He had, however, sufficient information to show him that the line

of railway would bo not only a great advantage to Christchurch, but also to Dunedin. [The speaker hero pointed out on a map hung against the wall the t-vo lines of route it was proposed to pursue, viz , that from Dune'Hn and that from Amherley.] From this latter place the lino could be taken along at a comparatively slight cost to meet the line at Greymonth. The lino by that course would open up a country superior, he believed, to anything in this island. [Applause.] As they were all aware, if the line were made from Dunedin tiie cod would bo very groat, in consequence of its having to cross so many rivers ai d being subject to so many dangerous overflows and waterfalls. There would be no difficulty in showing the Government the advantages that would accrue from the line being made from Amherley and not from Dunecl n. [Hear, hear.] Briefly if mighr he said that the distance was short, and that a very good country, witii its various valuable resources, would bo opened up. If Dunedin wished to have communication with Greymonth, it was best to ho get by way of Christchurch, which line of route possessed many advantages. If the Government decided to have the line from Dunedin, this mu di they might at least be sure of —that some of the Ministers were in favor of that line of route. [Hear, hear.] Ho was glad to see by a telegram in that morning’s paper that Greymonth wanted it from Christchurch. Ho was sorry he was not aide to speak more fully of the matter for want of knowledge, but he trusted some of the other gentlemen would be able to do so, and give them all the information they possessed, fcir Cracroft Wilson knew eomcthi ig about the country, as did also Mr Barker, and some other gentlemen, who he hoped would givo them the benefit of their experience. [Hear, hear.] Sir Cracroft Wilson said it was very true that he did know the country spoken of, and he believ< d the e would he no difficulty in carrying out the m itter, as pointed out by their chairman. In lh7o, when the railway scheme was proposed, the consent < f the House was ohtained for the North to have a trunk lire of railroad from one end to the other, while the (south was to have a trunk railway in the same way. Ho did not know how many lines were open between Christchurch and Invercargill, but he believed some 400 or 50J miles. [Hear, hear.] Well, what hai they got to the north of Christchurch? Way, simply some thirty or thirty-four miles, so that there had been very s ant justice done to that part of the island. [Applause J ft wo Id take a very large sum of money to connect the East Coast with the West by way of Dunedin, as sugge-ted, but from Amherley the cost would bo comparatively small. If the Government chose to do justice to them there was no difficulty whatever to stand in the way I hero would be no difficulty whatever in getting to Greymonth by the right bank of the Waiau. It might bo said that he had property along this line of railway, and so ho had. and so far he felt the injustice that was being done to the North; and so did the people of Waikari, and he had no interest in that district, and therefore he spoke disinterestedly on the subject. Mr G. F. Barker could fully endorse the remarks that had fallen from the chairman and fro n Sir Cracroft Wilson. On the estimates of last year was placed some thousands of pounds—he forgot exactly how much—to carry the lino fifteen miles beyond Amherley. He believed the line, as spoken about by Sir Cracroft, was the correct one It would open up a large block ef country, and was bound to be of n remunerative character. If it was taken by way of Dunedin, it would go through an immense deal of country which w nld bring nothing to the line. It could not ho denied that to open up this line would bo of immense value to Canterbury and Otago, and, in fact, the whole of the colony generally. [Hear, hear ] There was a great deal of land up there, which it would pay to work if it were only within an easy distance of a railway. It would thus put money into the Government purse, and open up an immense amount of agricultural laud, which would not ha the case if the line was opened up from Dunedin. [Applause.] Mr J. D. Macpherson, as one of the gentlemen who had something to do with the calling together of the present me ting, said, no doubt it would he a good thing for their Otago friends to get a vote for the lino from the south end. The line from the North, however, had the first claim for this railway, for it would ho an anomaly to take the Canterbury land fund to make an Utago railway. [Applause. ) In the country to be gone through by the railway—that would go from Canterbury—there would be an inexhaustible amount cf coal, timber, and other prod ids. It would be a mistake to say what precise direction the line should take. That would be a matter that would bo better left to experts. Under any circumstances, a large amount of good agricu turnl land must be opened up. As to a through traffic, ho did not think it was necessary to predict that such a traffic would pay. if it did no', there would be coal and timber from the West Coast, and agricultural products from the East. Besides this, the passenger traffic was hound to pay shortly, and he felt certain that by a fair expenditure of public money on this railway a great boon would be conferred on the whole of the .■;’outli Island. [Applause.] Mr Henuerson made a few observations as to the great value which would accrue to Canterbury through the large quantity of coal and timber which would come across the island.

Mr John luglis thought with tbe large population on the other side, that the lino was sure to pay —if not just at present. it must do so eventually. There had been some difficulties connected with the Hurunui course, and it had been suggested that the line should pass across a low saddle and go by the Ahanra Valley. And this, besides, would open up a large quantity of land. As a matter of fact he knew there was some valuable timber on tbe northern side of Lake Sumner. It was still bi tter on the other side, and in this way the receipts of the iailway would be swelled. He would gladly support the idea of a lino from Canterbury to the West Coast. The expense of tbe line being made from Dunedin would be much greater thm from Christchurch, and this he considered was a matter that was woitby of chief consideration.

The Chairman said that in the course of his enquiries as to the probable best route of the railway, it had been pointed out to him that the lines recommended ty the surveyors Culver and Foy. was the one which was referred to as coming through Amuri to Reolton and tbe Hope Mountain. This appeared most undoubtedly to be a moss advantageous route, and would open up a much better country than that referred to by Mr Inglis. If tbe meeting was agreed on the subject of having a railway it would be necessary that something should be done in the way of having a resolution on the subject ot the Canterbury and West Coast railway. Mr P. Cunningham moved the following resolution :—“ This Chamber views with much satisfaction the action taken by the Canterbury representatives at Wellington, in bringing tbe matter of railway extension from Amberlcy to the West Coast before Government, and desires to express its thanks for their consideration of a work of such very great necessity and importance to both sides of this island.”

The motion was seconded by Mr Pavitt, and carried unanimously. Mr Nathan moved, and Mr Studholmc seconded to the Canterbury representatives with a view to strengthening the action they have taken in the matter of railway extension from Amberlcy to the West Coast.” Some discussion ensued.

Mr Cunningham would like to have the names of other gentlemen likely to assist them inclnded in the resolution.

The Hon. J. T. Peacock thought it well to ask the co-operation of all members of the House While thanking their own members for what they had done, they could ask the other members to assist them.

The motion was then put and agreed to. The Chairman said he should bo glad to put any other resolution.

Mr Barker did not think the Chamber should commit itself to a specific route. He thought if they said “ via Amberley” that would servo all the objects desired. Mr Studholme moved —“That in the opinion of this Chamber, the best and cheapest route for a railway connecting the East and West Coasts of the Middle Island is that via Amberley, and that the co-cpcration of the members of the General Assembly be invited to assist the Canterbury members in supporting the best and shoi’test route.”

t-econdcd by Mr Aikmau. [When originally drawn up the resolution was not in this form, and elicited a good deal ot discussion ] Mr Hsssal thought it would be better to confine the matter to the Canterbury members. It would strengthen their hands It seemed rather a weak thing to him to invite the co-operation of other members of the Assembly. He would invite Canterbury members to urge upon the House the necessity of adopting the Amberley route.

[The speaker was understood to make som» observation about the Minister for Buolie Works.] Mr A. C. Wilson—But unfo?lnnately the Minister for Public Works is Mr Macandrcw. Mr Hassal again asked them to consider the resolution. Mr Nathan thought the resolution spoke for itself, by describing the proposed route as the best one. _ Mr Ijiglis supported the yiowa of Mr Haasal,

If they were to address the whole of the members of the Assembly, what was the use of putting in the words “Chri tchurch members.” Mr Booth sympathised with the remarks made by Mr Hassal. Mr Stead agreed with the motion. The resolution of inviting the members to supp rt the measure would perhaps have little effect, hut still be should support it. Mr Hassal moved as an amendment —“ That the words Canterbury and West Coast members bo included, instead of addressing the whole of the members of the House.”

Mr Cunningham thought Mr Hassal was altogether too modest. Mr Hassal said it was not a matter of modesty; they should confine their recommendation to their own members and those interested in the matter. Mr A. C Wilson thought the Dunedin members would simply laugh at them if they passed such a resolution. Mr Studholme said it would ho far better to pass the resolution as it stood, and not lot it appear as a local work, Mr C. W. Turner thought it would bo belter to appeal to the whole of the members than to a few local men.

Mr Cameron supported the original resolution. After some further discussion, the amendment was put and lost. The original resolution was then put and agreed to. Mr Cunningham thought it would be advis able for some of the members of the Chamber to be present at ?ho meeting that evening, or at all events to let the Mayor know what had taken place in that Chamber. The Chairman said ho intended to ask as many of the members of the Chamber to be present as possible. He had alre vi ytw ice tried to see the Mayor that day to make some arrangements with him, but had not been successful. Mr L. E Nathan thought there was very little doubt but that the public meeting would arrive at the s ame decision es the Chamber. 'J his was all the business, and a vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.