DUNEDIN AND THE RAILWAY DEPARTMENT.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1683, 12 July 1879, Page 3

DUNEDIN AND THE RAILWAY DEPARTMENT.

DUNEDIN. July 11. The adjourned medic g of the Chamber of Commerce was held this afternoon. Mr JC. _B. Cargill was elected chairman for the ensuing year. A committee of nine members was also elected. Mr Ashcroft said ho would move the resolution regarding Mr Conyers, of which notice was given at last mee'ing. They were aware that, owing to the presence of Mr Conyers_ in Christchurch, the workshops there were being rapidly extended, and Dunedin was being unfeelingly treated, the Hilbide workshops being kept at a standstill. On the Otago section the gradients were steep, requiring a larger concentration of rolling stock and the general supervision cf an engineer of Mr Conyers’ experience. He moved —“ That the object for which the Commissioner of Railways for the South Island was temporarily removed to Christchurch, namely, the effecting of certain improvements for the better carrying on of traffic on the Canterbury lines, haviug been effected, this Chamber is strongly of opinion that the Commissioner of Railways should now ho temporarily settled at Dunedin.” Another proof of the centralising of railway management in Christchurch was the statement made a day or two ego, to the effect that the paymasters at Dunedin and Invercargill were to be removed, and that the whole pay was to bo concentrated in Christchurch. Mr Wilson seconded the motion. Mr Turnbull expressed his opinion that it would bo simply ridiculous for a man living at Kingston to have to forward his voucher to Dunedin, and then have it sent on to Christchurch before he could get hi-, pay. The Hon. Mr Reynolds having been called on, admitted that Dunedin was being unfairly treated. Irrespective of its importance os a commercial city, Dunedin was the centre of the • Middle Island railways, and he thought that if the matter was properly re,: resented to the Government by the chamber, there would b;i no difficulty in getting Mr Conyers back. Mr Matheson thought the chamber had been too long apathetic in the matter, and that, as a commercial city, there were greatly to blame for not bestirring themselves earlier. Mr Fraser had been to Christchurch lately, and his experience was that there would be considerable difficulty iu getting Mr Conyers south, owing to tho mutual attachment _ existing between that gentleman and the residents of Canterbury. He suggested that the assistance of all members of Parliament for Otago should he sought. Mr Matheson snggfated that the candidates for ths vacant city scat should he sounded, and their views ascertained thereon. Mr Ashcroft though that it should go forth that this was not a local or selfish matter, and they were entitled to tho support cf all members of Parliament representing Otago and Southland. The Chairman thought that the right of administration of railways within their own provincial district was a right which they should be allowed to administer fiom thei» own centre, viz., Dunedin. * ... The resolution was then carried unanimously.