WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2669, 26 October 1882, Page 3

WEST COAST RAILWAY.

A special meeting of the City Council took place in their chambers last evening, for. the purpose of considering the question of taking action in furthering the construction of a railway connecting the present lines with the West Coast of the Middle Island. Present— His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Yincant, Beese, Saver, Jenkins, Ayers, Louisson, Prudhoo, Bowman, Hiorni, Thomson, Brice, and Lambert. The Mayor said the meeting had been called because of the receipt of many communications from outside bodies asking for co operation in the matter. He thought they ought to form an association, composed of delegates from all local bodies in the district, with branches, whoso functions should be to hold public meetings, extract pledges from their representatives in Parliament, and to agitate generally. He believed it to be the opinion of the majority that of all the routes proposed to finish the trunk line in this island, that via the West Coast would be the moat beneficial, "and probably the most payable. Strong influence was being brought to bear to have a line made by the Bast Coast, It was for them to raise their voice against this if they did not think it was the best for the country. He would be glad to hear the matter carefully discussed. His Worship further stated that he had received certain resolutions (already published) from the Beefton Railway League, and had referred them to the Industrial Association. That body did not see their way to deal with them, and had returned them with expressions of sympathy. That was all that hud been done in that connection. He believed some resolutions had been prepared for the present meeting. Or. Beese moved—“ That it is the opinion of this Council that his Worship the Mayor should invite the Chambers of Commerce, Industrial Association, Working Men’s Political Association, and each of the County, City, and Borough Councils and Road Boards within the Provincial District of Canterbury, to nominate two of their members ra spectively to meet at the City Council Chambers, Christchurch, on November 6th, 1882, at 3 p. m., to take into consideration the odvuabl-mess of forming a convention or Railway League for the purpoja of pointing out to the Government that it will be more to the interests of Canterbury, Westland, and the colony at large, that the share of the loan for railway purposes allocated to Canterbury for a line from the Hurunni northwards should be applied in the construction of> line from Canterbury to the West Coast." Ho dwelt at some length on the advantages to be derived from a lino to the West Coast, pointing especially to the timber and coal trade, which he said would bo revolutionised by the lino. He also wont over the arguments against a line via the East Coast. Or. Lambert seconded the motion, and several councillors having spoken in its favor, it was put to the vote, and carried nem, con.

Or. Ayers moved—“ That the Mayor, Or. Vincent and the mover should be appointed delegates from the Oouncil to tho convention.” Ha was glad to see that Canterbury was waking up to her interests. Ho had no doubt it they had taken these matters properly in hand long ago the West Coast Railway would have been ere now an aocoinp’iihed fact. Alluding to the constitution of the Boyal Commission, he said that there vees plenty of room for the convention to oi*rt themselves with the Commissioners. Tho idea gravely put forth, and which apparently had been acted upon, that the Commission should not include a member from Canterbury, seemed to him to be the most ridiculous logic, or want of logic, he had ever heard. It argued, indeed, that there were neither honest nor capable men hero. Or. River seconded the motion. Or. Douisson thought that, seeing the great interest Cr. Betse had taken in tho movement, his name should be added to the list of delegates from Christchurch.

Much discussion took place on this point. Finally, it was resolved to add Or. Beesa’s name to the list of Christchurch delegates. The Mayor said that, this bains; all the business re the West Coast railway, he wished to draw the attention of the Council to the initiation and progress of the Young Men’s Club. There now were 150 members, which, as might easily ba understood, meant a large expense in carrying out its objects. They were about going into more expensive undertakings, and, their internal resources being small, he would like the Council, as a Oouncil, to show practical interest in the movement, either becoming honorary members at a reasonable subscription, or by donation to any extent tho pleased. For this purpose perhaps tho town clerk would par* round a paper on which each Councillor could put down his subscription. Or. Hiorna said perhaps ho might bo allowed to mention another matter. They were about to present Fire Brigade Superintendent Harris with a slight monetary token of their esteem. Ha thought they might add to that -a piece of plate for hia sideboard, and be banded down to his family as a heirloom,