RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2686, 16 November 1882, Page 3

RAILWAY LEAGUE.

A meeting of the Committee of the above league was held last evening in Mr T. S. Weston’s chambers, at half—past seven o’clock. Present—Mr W. Chrystall (chairman), Messrs A. G. Howland, T. S. Weston, M.H.R., W. D. Meares, D. Reese. W. Vincent, Johnston, P, Jones, J. Joyce, Higgins, T. Pavitt, R. D. Thomas, Johnston (Mayor of Rangiora), T. B. Craig (secretary), and his Worship the Mayor. Messrs Thornton and Wickes, who were present, were added to the committee. Messrs Button and Scott, representatives of the Hokitika Railway League, were also added to the committee, and it was decided that they should be regarded as members of the league. The following names were also added to the committee:—The Hon. E. Richardson, Messrs John Holmes. M.H.R., R. W. England, T. O. Kelsey, H. Packer, H. Thomson, M.H.R., H. Blackett, J. Inglis, W. S. King, and Tinline. The quorum of the committee was fixed at ten. On the motion of Mr Weston the Bank of New Zealand were appointed bankers of the league. The Chairman suggested with regard to providing funds that a contribution of T 5 should be made by each body represented on the league. Mr Joyce proposed that a finance committee ho appointed to report on the subject at next meeting, to consist of Messrs Chrystall, Pavitt and Vincent. He doubted whether local bodies would have power to devote money to the purpose. Mr Thomas said the subject deserved consideration, as on the previous occasion when this work was being promoted those concerned had to put their hands into their own pockets. Mr Weston agreed with Mr Joyce, and thought the local bodies could not legally vote money for the purpose. His experience had been the same as that described by Mr Thomas. However, he did not regret it, and would do it again in order to get this line, as get it he was certain they would. There were persons who now professed to he very enthusiastic about this line, who formerly refused to have anything to do with it. One man in particular who was now writing to the papers, was gradually coming round, and he was a gentleman who insulted Mr Packer, Mr Wickes, Mr Thornton, and himself eighteen months ago when they asked him to help them with a contribution. He looked upon them as little better than swindlers. Mr Thomas—He characterised the movement as “ a swindle.” After some further discussion, Mr Joyce’s motion was agreed to. The Mayor said as the Commission would he in Christchurch soon perhaps it would he advisable to appoint a committee to collect statistics. Mr Johnston (Christchurch) thought it should be understood at once whether the Commission would he able to consider the West Coast route as against the Northern extension. Mr Roiloston and Mr Johnston did not agree on this point, the former indicating by his answers to questions that the Commission could not consider the West Coast route.

Mr Thornton said ho had received instructions to prepare information for the Commission regarding the West Coast route.

Mr Howland was afraid there was a movement to get the Commission to enquire specially into the West Coast line, and the league should be careful how they approached the Commission. If the Commission enquired specially into the West Coast line they would report in such a way as to damn that line. In fact it would be a foregone conclusion. He thought this hew idea about the special enquiry was a scheme to get them to urge upon the Government that the Commission should report on the line, with a view to its being condemned. He was confirmed in this opinion by the letter of Mr Wynn Williams, which appeared in that morning’s paper. Mr Thomas could not see by the terms of the Commission how the Commissioners could have any right to inquire into the West Coast line. He agreed that two Otago men and one Auckland man were not likely to do anything but damn the West Coast line. He did not think it was the intention of the Government, in appointing the Commission, that it should report on that line. There was something in the suggestion of the last speaker. Mr Chrystall remarked that Mr Johnston told the deputation that the Commissioners were authorised to report on “ all likely routes.” They all recognised that the railway to the West Coast should txke precedence of the main trunk line, and this was the view taken by. Mr Poy, the engineer. The League should bo careful, before asking the Commission to examine the West Coast line as part of the main trunk line, because the report upon it in that shape might be adverse. The league should decide whether the West Coast line should go from the North or the South of Canterbury, and then select the particular route. Mr O’ConnorhadsuggestedthoHope Saddle and Arthur’s Pass. The only objection to the former was that it would not command a coal trade, but seeing that we got coal from South Canterbury that was not of much importance. Mr Vincent suggested that they might show the impossibility of the northern route paying. Mr Reese endorsed the remarks of Mr Howland and Mr Thomas. They should, however, collect all possible information for the Commission. Mr Chrystall said the duty of the Commission was to consider the different routes for a trunk lino. Canterbury desired the West Coast line, whether it was part of a trunk railway or not, but their object should be to prove that the Cannibal Gorge and Brunnerton route would serve the purpose best. Mr Meares was satisfied, both from the remarks of Mr Walter Johnston and from the terms of the Commission that the Commissioners would examine the West Coast line. The Mayor moved —“ That a committee bo appointed, consisting of Messrs Thornton, Weston, Howland, Inglis, Richardson, Pavitt, and Reece, to collect statistics and other information regarding the different proposed railway routes Northwards and the West Coast.” Mr Higgins thought they should not regard the report of the Commissioners as final. There could be no harm in furnishing them with information, although ho did not anticipate much result. With regard to the deputation, he did not consider that the Minister’s answers were at all satisfactory. Everything had to be dragged out of him. Mr Jones suggested that the proposed sub-committee should be empowered to wait upon the Commissioners when they arrived. They should respect the Commission. Though they might have no sympathy with Canterbury, yet the League should endeavor to convince them. Mr Weston agreed with Mr Thomas in his interpretation of the Commission. Ho did not think it would compel the Commissioners to regard the West Coast line as the League wished them to do. It authorised them to consider the best main trunk lino, and they could only regard the West Coast line in so as far as it could fit in with a main line by way of Tophouse to Nelson. If the Commissioners recognised the policy of 187-1-, they could report on a line from the Amur! to Reeftou, but it would only be a mere act of grace. They would only be bound to regard the West Coast line up to the Tophouse and not beyond. They were appointed at the instance of the Nelson members, and that was the intention. When the Commissioners arrived the committee should ask them whether they were prepared to report on the West Coast routes at all, and if so, then lay the several routes before them. When they reported their decision need not be accepted as conclusive. If it were adverse the question could be fought out on the floor of the House, and he did not doubt that eventually the league would succeed. He agreed with Mr Higgins that everything had to be dragged out of the Minister for Public Works, whose demeanor in that respect was as objectionable as that ol Mr Rolloston at Papanui. Ho took exception to the constitution of the Commission. The Govern menu had taken a gentleman from the Upper House, who had been in the Ministry with some of the present

members, and who had expressed very strong opinions on one or more of the lines ; they had passed over Canterbury and taken two members from Otago. The Commission - was not a proper one in any sense of the word, and no doubt their report would be taken grave exception to in the House. Mr Howland thought the Commission had been appointed as a buffer. If the Government had wished to give Canterbury fair play, instead of appointing a Commission it would have asked Canterbury to cay which railway it would have. Mr Reese quoted from Mr Macandrew’s speech when moving the Loan Bill in IS 70 to show that the intention was that the main trunk line should go from Nelscn to Greymouth and Hokitika, and thence to Christchurch. In the schedule of that Loan Bill there was an item, “ Ambcrley to Brunnerton, T 950,000.” Mr Roiloston on the same occasion, although urging that the desirableness of the Amber ley to Erunnerton line was confirmed in 1573, voted against the Bill. The railway to Blenheim or Ricton had always been regarded as a branch one from the main trunk line to Nelson. As a proof that the present Government intended to construct the East Coast line he mentioned that in placing money down for the Hurunui and Awatere bridges they had put them in the schedule of works as railway bridges. Mr Pavitt thought they should decide what the proposed suh-committee was to do with regard to the preparation of statistics. Mr Johnston distinctly stated to the deputation that the Government were anxious that the Commission should receive all possible information. They should settle whether it would he desirable to wait on the Commission before they went to the West Coast or after they returned.

Mr Chrystall thought they should give the sub-committee some indication of whether the line to Reefton, for instance, would suit the district best as the West Coast line. Mr Pavitt said Arthur’s Pass could not he used for heavy traffic, and it would he much more expensive than the Ada Pass route. They should satisfy their Hokitika friends that they had substantial reasons for selecting the route they might decide upon.

Mr Wickes said that the investigation of engineers had proved that the Ada Pass route to the West Coast was the only practicable one out of twenty-seven. Mr Thornton remarked that the Government had themselves proved which was the best line. The Arthur Pass route, recommended by Messrs Blair and O’Connor, had been shown by the Government to have a grade of 1 in 7, and it was proposed to use a stationary engine on the line. It passed over country that would never carry population, and the timber along the line was far inferior to that on the Ada Pass route. It had been proved on behalf of the Government that the Tatter was undoubtedly the best rout - - that had been discovered, the Vrorst grade being 1 in 50.

Mr Vincent said there was another route —by the Hope Pass. The Westland people would, perhaps, oppose them if they advocated the Reefton line specially. Mr Thornton said there was a grade of lin 15 over the Hurunai saddle. The line over the Hope Saddle would also be a very heavy grade. Mr Reese said the particular route wa s not a question they could decide now. They should give what information they could to the Commission, and afterwards appoint a committee who would go to inspect the routes, and then they would get a report from gentlemen equally as competent to judge as the Commissioners, and they could lay it before their members ; so that if the report of the Commission was unfavorable, they would have a fair and honest report from those who were interested in the matter.

Mr Wickes mentioned, in justice to Hr Blair and Mr O’Connor, that their report in favor of Arthur’s Pass was made two years before the Ada Pass route was discovered.

After some further discussion, the resolution proposed by the Mayor was agreed to, the names of Messrs Chrystall, Button, and E. G. Wright being added, and the following addition being made;—“And that they also be requested to wait on the Commissioners as a deputation.” On the motion of Mr Joyce, it was decided that the committee should meet every Wednesday evening at half-past seven o’clock, and that no now business should be taken after half-past nine o’clock. On the motion of Mr Reese, the President and the Chairman were appointed ex officio members of all committees.

A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.