MEETING AT THE WAIAU.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2628, 8 September 1882, Page 3

MEETING AT THE WAIAU.

A meeting was hold at the Waiau on Tuei day, September sth, to consider the proposals of the Government re the extension of the main trunk line northwards. Mr J. Meofarlane was voted to the chair. The Chairman stated that tho meeting was o&lled to urga upon the Government the extension of tho lice to the red post at once, since which time the Govornmoqt had Etated iu the House that this line should be proceeded with. The East Coast line would be of no benefit to the colony. He drew attar., tion to Mr Blair's report that this line would only be a passengers' line, and could not compete with sea carriage. Mr J. Davison proposed "That the railway to Picton by any route is premature, but tho ooast line by Cheviot and Elr.xbourne would never pay 1 per cent, on cost of oonstruotion, and is so palpable a job that the meeting can hardly oonoeivo the Government to havo been in earnest in entertaining the idea."

Mr McK»e said ha rose to second the proposal, especially after some statistics given by Mr Wright of political railways, some of whioh paid only 9d per cent above working expenses. The coastline connected a number of shipping ports, and for sixty miles above Kaikoura the land was perfeotly useless nothiag but a sandy beach f>nd steep bluffs. The Tophouse route would be of more benefit to tho oountry. The resolution was carried unanimously.

Mr Edgar Jones proposed—" That in the opinion of this meeting the extension of the line to the West Coast is the best for the interests of the oolony." He thought they should cooperate with Ohristohuroh in supporting the West Coast railway. There is no doubt the Bast Coast line would not pay. That if the Government taxed the land along the West Coast line, Christohuroh, that which would bs most benefited should cootribute.' That the line as far as the red post, about twelve miles from Hurunui, opened up 100,000 acres of agricultural and 1.000,000 acre's of pastoral land. Mr John McArthur rose to second the resolution. He said of the three proposed routes the West Coast would serve the interest of the oolony best. He considered the Tophouse preferable to the East Coast route. When they get the railway to the red post it would servo the purposes of the distriot. Mr J. H. Davison proposed the following amendment—" That in view of the recent proposals favorably entertained by the Government that land through which rail, ways run should be taxed for tho defioit in the event of their failing to pay interest, this meeting is of opinion that the West Coast line should not be prooeeded with unless it can be shown that the through traffio is likely to pay interest upon and cost of maintenance of the line." Mr W. O. Rutherford seconded the amendment. . __„ 31 The Chairman stated that the Middle Island lines now constructed paid interest, and ha considered it likely that new lines would be taxed, and ha quite agreed wi:h Mr Divison that the meeting wouH be right m objeoting to any railway that would lead to the taxation of property. The amendment was lost, and the motion of Mr E. Jones carried. i The meeting terminated with a vote of thank* to the chair.