RAILWAY MEETING AT LITTLE RIVER.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1749, 27 September 1879, Page 3

RAILWAY MEETING AT LITTLE RIVER.

A public meeting was held on Monday night for the purpose of petitioning the Government to extend the Akaroa and Christchurch railway from the Beach to Little River township. The meeting was an influential one, but the attendance was limited, owing to tho heavy rain which fell tho whole day. Mr A. D. Allan was voted to the chair. The chairman stated the objects of the meeting, and read an extract from “Hansard,” showing that the present intended route of the railway is not in accordance with the decision of the Legislature. His own opinion was that the line should be continued to Little River through the valley as far as the Government buildings there. He would ask some one to move a resolution, Mr J. Watkins moved, and Mr Olphert seconded—“ That this meeting begs respectfully to urge on Mr Montgomery the necessity of at once proceeding with the line of railway to a point near the police buildings at Little River, about six miles, that being a common centre, and available for the whole of the valuable timber and firewood for which the district is noted, and which timber and firewood would prove so great a boon to the Ellesmere district as well as a profit to this place. This meeting would also draw Mr Montgomery’s attention to tho fact that Mr Hardy Johnstone’s line rising at Caton’s Bay, Lake Forsyth, is not in accordance with the accepted resolution of the Select Committee appointed by the Upper House, which advised the construction of the line from Lincoln to Little River, and said nothing of any diversion before it reached the latter place. An extension at Caton’s Bay would be a diversion, and of very little value to this valley, the owners in which are of opinion that the line on the public map, i.e., the original reserve, should be adhered to where practicable. This meeting trusts Mr Montgomery will endeavor to accomplish the object in view, so that the additional six miles or so may be opened simultaneously with the contract let to the shingle flat.” The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr Olphert moved, and Mr Stanbury seconded—--44 That a petition embodying the within be drawn up and forwarded to Mr Montgomery to the House of Representatives, and that as many signatures be obtained in the valley as possible.” A vote of thanks to tho chairman closed the meeting.