PUBLIC MEETING AT ASHBURTON.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1695, 26 July 1879, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT ASHBURTON.

A public meeting wos'held on Thursday night in the Town Hall, Ashburton ; his Worship the Mayor in the chair. There was a large attendance. The Chairman said they were aware the meeting had been called to ask the Government for a grant to erect station buildings and do other necessary work. They had a good claim, as the receipts at Ashburton station for passenger and goods traffic were over £33,000, and surely the Government ought to do something to improve the present railway station and erect a much needed Court House.

Mr C. P. Cox moved—“ That the present railway station at Ashburton, being inadequate for the accommodation of the passenger and goods traffic, and the comfort and safety of the travelling public being compromised in consequence, this meeting respectfully requests the Minister of Railways to place a sum upon the estimates for the erection of a station suitable to traffic requirements.” Ho alluded to the wretched crowding at the passenger station, and also the inadequate accommodation for the great goods traffic. He read a return of the business done at the station, which showed that the whole amount was no less than £33,107 5s lid for passenger and goods traffic. Mr E. Friedlander seconded the resolution, which, after a few remarks from the Mayor, was carried unanimously, amid great applause. Mr G. D Branson moved—" That in the opinion of this meeting, the buildings in which the District and Resident Magistrate’s Court are now respectively held are altogether unfit to be used as Court-houses, and that the Government be respectfully urged erect as soon as possible, upon reserve No. 770, a building specially adapted for holding of the said Courts.”

The resolution was seconded by Mr George Jameson, and carried unanimously. Mr Tress moved —“ That as the Mount Somers Railway is calculated to open up a large tract of agricultural country for settlement, and would also develope the coal and stone resources of the district, and thus act as a valuable feeder to the main line of railway, this meeting would urge upon the attention of the Government the desirability of prosecuting the work with all possible despatch, so that it may be completed in ample time for next harvest.” . Mr Cox seconded the resolution, which, after some remarks from other speakers, was carried unanimouslyMr Ward moved-" That, for the safety of human life and to prevent the destruction of horses and cattle, this meeting considers it highly desirable that the railway lines especially that portion within the borough be securely fenced.” The resolution was seconded by Mr Weymouth Roberts and cirried.

Mr Weymouth Roberts moved ‘‘That copies of the above resolutions be forwarded to the Minister for Public Works and the member for the district, with a request that the matter be urged in Parliament.” Mr Hughes seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The Mayor said that railway workshops might also bo erected in Ashburton, as it was a most central place, and well fitted for the purpose, being half way between Christchurch and Timaru. Again, the Government had land at Ashburton on which they could erect these buildings, whereas they would have to pay thousands of pounds per acre for the necessary space at Christchurch. Mr Branson moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding, and in doing so paid him a high compliment for his public spirit in alsiajs coming forward to support anything for the good of Ashburton. The meeting then a j mrned.