EAST AND WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2650, 4 October 1882, Page 3

EAST AND WEST COAST RAILWAY.

A meeting of promoters and subscribers to the preliminary expenses of this project was held last evening at the rooms of T. S. Weston, Esq. Present—Messrs Weston (in the chair), Pavitt, Wickes, Thomas, Thorn, ton, Vincent, Craig (secretary), Davie, Smith, Pratt and ethers.

The Chairman, opening the meeting, called on the bon, sec. to read the balance-sheet. That document showed that the funds received had been subscriptions £482 9s, most of which had been spent in furthering the objects of those interested. There was a small credit balance of a little over £ll, which it was calculated would cover some potty expenses connected with the present meeting. The accounts had been audited and duly certified to by Mr H. S 3. Alport. The following was the report attached:— The promoters, in submitting the accounts of receipts and expenditure (duly audited), to the present data, have not the satisfaction to announce the formation of a company under their auspices, yet they think their past efforts will do much to hasten the formation of a railway between the vast mineral wealth of the West and the food producing plains of Canterbury on the East Coast of New Zealand. Briefly to review the past. Some time back the finding of a practicable railway route to the West Coast was a subject of much interest. Mr E. Wickes, now of Christchurch, but long a resident in Westland, knowing its vast resources, agitated the question. Messrs Thornton and Browne, civil engineers, volunteered, on condition that paok horses and men, and all exploration expenses being found them, they would endeavor to find the desired route. A number of gentlemen in Christchurch and Beefton contributed, and the members of Council of Grey Valley, Qreymouth, and Inangahua, substantially assisted. 1 ho explorers returned, having found a practicable rente via Ada Pass and Cannibal Gorge. Their report was submitted to a public meeting ir> Christchurch. The Government deputed Mr C. T. O’Connor, an engineer of distinction in their service, to traverse the rente. He did bo in company with Mr Browne, and reported its practicability, the heaviest grade being 1 in 50. The Bailway Construction and Laud Act. 18S1, was passed, giving land concessions to any Company that might undertake the construction of a railway. At a public meeting in Christehuroh, it was unanimously resolved that a Company should be formed. Subscriptions were received to defray the necessary expenses, on condition that if a Company were floated subscribers should be credited with their amounts paid, as so mock per share paid ap.

-The undertaking had not many in monied quarters, and not a few detractors. The promoters asked the Chamber of Commerce to invite three gentlemen as a Commission to report commercially upon the scheme. Three well knowa gentlemen went over the proposed route with Mr Thornton, C.K., viz., Messrs M'llraith, John Beaumont and John Inglia. Their report was a panegyric upon the mineral and other wealth of the Westland country- it confirmed all that the prospectus said. The Commissioners recommended that a railway should be made, but by the Government, as in iheir opinion it would not prove an immediate commercial success for a company. On receiving this report the promoters laid the whole matter before Sir Julius Vogel, E.C.M.Q., then in London, and furnished him with maps and copies of all information. In a lengthy and courteous reply, having consulted soiao eminent London contractors, ho thought that no company could be floated until surveys and reliable estimates of cost were made, as well as the probable value of the concessions ; and further, if the concessions were sufficient for capitalists to entertain the enterprise, then the Government would not be justified in parting with such valuable property, it being his opinion that the Government would not labor under the disadvantages and increased costa that a company might, in the way of commission and costs of a similar nature.

Though unsuccessful in tho formation of the desired company, the promoters feel assured that an undertaking fraught with such aid to the prosperity of Canterbury and the West Coast as a railway connecting tho districts would be, cannot long be neglected. The promoters esnnot close this report without fully recognising the valuable aid which Mr T. B. Craig, their honorary secretary, has rendered to the cause for many months. Thomas S. Wbston, Chairman of Promoters. Christchurch, October 3rd, 1883. On the motion of Mr Vincent, seconded by Mr JPavxtt, tho report and balance-thsst was received and adopted. Mr Thomas said he thought, in the face of the apathy shown by tho public, is would ba impossible to carry on further. Of course it would be still open for them, a« private individuals, ta do all they could privately in future. He suggested that the chairman should ba given tha power to call them together if in the future he saw any necessity for such action. Ho moved —" Thai their affairs bo now wound up." Mr Paviit seconded the motion, lie quite concurred in tho remarks made by Mr Thomas. Tho agitation that had been sot on foot by the promoters must have had a beneficial effect, and though they had net been *o succoisful as they at one time hoped would be the case, he wa* *nro they would all look back without regret, except for their want of success, on the part they had taken in the matter.

Mr Wiokea spoke in a similar manner. On the motion of Mr Pavitt, seconded by Mr Davie, a hearty vote of thanks -was passed to Messrs Thornton and Browne, in whoso arduous endeavors they, as promoters, could not but recognise the singleness of their purpose and the seal with which it had been carried out. Although they had not snooeoded in their first endeavor, their labors had had results which must be invaluable to the public and country at large. After some further remarks, the Chairman declared the association for tho preliminary work of making a railway between the East and West Coasts of the Middle Island to be wonnd up. Tho meeting then terminated.