RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2692, 23 November 1882, Page 3

RAILWAY LEAGUE.

An ordinary weekly meeting of the committee of the above league was held last evening at half-past seven o’clock in Mr Weston’s chambers. Present —Messrs W. Chrystall (chairman), T. S. Weston, T. Pavitt, J. Joyce, W. Vincent, D. Reese, A. G. Howland, C. E. Button, Scott, Johnston (Christchurch), Higgins, J. G. Ruddenklau, J. Cnglis, T. Bruce, P. Jones, E. Wickes, Jno. Holmes and T.B. Craig (secretary). A letter of apology for non-attendance was read from Mr W. S. King. A letter was read from the Hon. E. Richardson, apologising for non-attendance, and expressing his opinion that the only course now open to the League was to ask the Government to issue a new Royal Commission to report before the next session of Parliament as to which was the best route for a railway to connect the East and West Coasts, both from an engineering and commercial point of view. On no account should the Government be asked to amend the present Commission. A letter was read from Mr Adam Chalmers, of Lyttelton, asking what the League’s intentions were as to the forming local branches. There was a good deal of feeling in Lyttelton in favour of the movement, but he did not advise its being left to the local authorities. Should a branch committee be appointed, he would suggest that the right to vote should be confined to subscribers of cash in support of the League’s object. The consideration of the letter was deferred to a later stage. The following telegram was read from the Mayor of Hokitika : —“ Through oversight, omitted to inform you that Messrs Button and Scott have been chosen by Westland Railway League to represent Westland at Christchurch Railway League’s meetings.”

The chairman, on behalf of the finance committee, reported that a circular letter had been drawn up, requesting the members of the League to collect subscriptions from the respective bodies they represented, and to state the minimum amount they would be prepared to guarantee. It was impossible at present to say what the expenses of the League would amount to. If a travelling commission were appointed of course the funds required would be pretty considerable. Mr Pavitt said that if the detailed surveys were to be carried out by the League, and not by the Government, the subscriptions would have to be very substantial. This would not be known probably for a few months. The detailed survey would be very expensive, and should be done by the Government; but if they failed to carry it out, the sooner the League took the matter in hand the better. Mr Weston asked what line Mr Pavitt referred to. Mr Pavitt presumed that a detailed survey would be necessary before an estimate of cost could be formed. He wished to impress upon the League the importance of a survey being made before next session of Parliament. Mr Howland moved —•" That the chairman call a meeting of the Railway League at his earliest convenience, and invite the Canterbury members of the House of Representatives to attend.” They should get their representatives to pledge themselves to support the West Coast line, otherwise their efforts would be without result.

Mr Higgins did not think it was the duty of the League to undertake a detailed survey. That should be done by the Government after a flying survey had first been carried out. Their members might decline to pledge themselves on the ground that they were responsible, not to the League, but to their constituents.

Mr Howland said his object in wishing the League to bo called together was that the question might bo considered by the members as a whole, and that some pressure might be brought to bear upon the members.

The Mayor moved —“ That the circular submitted by the finance committee be adopted and addressed to the members.” Mr Joyce suggested that the working men of Canterbury should be got to take an interest in the movement, and that the minimum subscription be fixed at five shillings. The voice of the people of Canterbury should be heard in this matter. Mr Reose thought the proposal of Mr Joyce would disturb the constitution of the League and make it one-sided. At present it was composed of representatives of all the local government bodies, and it would be very hard if they could not find means to carry out the objects of the League. Mr Button said before they asked any of the local bodies for subscriptions they must set before them definitely what object the League sought to attain. It was originally formed for the purpose of obtaining a railway to the "West Coast, but he had since been told that the League might entertain a route going north, as it was not exclusively a West Coast Railway League. Unless the object of the League was to get a railway to the West Coast, the Westland people, whom he and Mr Scott represented, would not contribute a penny, or have anything to do with it. Mr Higgins thought anyone might be allowed to subscribe to the League. The feeling in Canterbury was, of course, in favor of a railway to the West Coast, and that object was sufficient to enlist the sympathies of the xieople. He thought very little good would result from any apg roaches they might make either to the ommission or the Government. They should depend upon their own efforts. After some further discussion the circular was agreed to. Mr Holmes moved —“ That canvassers be appointed to collect subscriptions for the purposes of the League.” They wanted money to enable a flying survey to be made, so that the League could furnish the members with data to enable them to fight the matter out iu Wellington. As to the original intention with regard to the direction of the line, the Government had left a loophole for themselves, so that they might take it in whatever direction they liked. Mr Joyce seconded the resolution, and suggested that it should be left to the finance committee to employ collectors, and that the minimum subscription should boss. Mr Vincent said the finance committee had considered this matter, but had decided to ascertain the views of the League with regard to it, as they could form no idea as to the probable amount required. He thought they should consent to receive even less than ss.

Mr Howland said there w-ere many business men who would be willing to ioin the League and subscribe. On this account also it was essential that the League should e called together.

Mr Inglis thought the public would not like to undertake to defray the cost of a detailed survey, which was a work that should be carried out by the GovernmentWith regard to Mr Holmes’ remarks there had been several flying surveys made already. Their business should bo not to point out any particular r<_ vti , but to furnish the Commission particularly with regard to a direct lino to the West Coast. It would be a waste of money to have another flying survey when so many had been made by Government engineers. They would be giving a very erroneous impression to the public if they let it go forth that the League were going to undertake the duty of making surveys. They should endeavor, through their members and otherwise, to induce the Government to take the line West.

Mr Holmes’s motion was then put and. agreed to.

The Chairman reported the result of the deputation to the Commission. The Commissioners were as open and frank as they could have expected, but had stated that they would not be able to report on any line going ;so far west as Reofton, although, the League had been led to believe by Mr Walter Johnston that they would be able to do so. It was understood that the deputation should prepare statistics for the Commission, and a sub-committee, which had been appointed for the purpose had met and drawn up some information to be submitted to the Commission to-morrow. The Chairman read the draft report of th«-sub-committee, which was discussed at length and finally adopted.

The Chairman submitted the following' resolution :—“ That this committee having had an interview with the Railway Commission is disappointed to find that the Commission regards it as beyond its powers to report on any extension of the Middle Island trunk line by way of the West Coast, and that in view of the comparatively great importance of connecting the East and. West Coasts by railway, the Government be respectfully requested to issue a new Commission, or extend the powers of the present Commission, so as to admit of a. report being obtained on the advisability or otherwise of making the said extension of the trunk line by way of the West Coast.”

Mr Joyce moved the resolution, and Mr Reese seconded it. Mr Weston moved as an amendment — “ That the Government be invited to issue a new Royal Commission to report before the next session of Parliament as to which, is the best route for a railway to connect the East and West Coasts, both from an. engineering and commercial point of view.” This resolution was in the terms of Mr Richardson’s letter. Mr Pavitt seconded the amendment. The present Commission had very candidly told, them that they were not prepared to keep the League hanging on for months, and it was their duty to point out to the_ Government that they wanted a Commission to report on the West Coast line. The Chairman pointed out that the deputation had been informed by Dr. Pollen that the Government could not entertain that proposal, as no appropriation had been, made by Parliament for a West Coast line.

M* Weston said Hr. Pollen could not speak the mind of the Government. Mr Howland thought the present Commission would act in a just and impartial manner, and he would prefer to see their powers extended than a new Commission, appointed. Mr Higgins supported the original resolution as more likely to be acceded to by the Government.

Mr Inglis also supported the resolution, and deprecated their blaming either the Commissioners or the Government in the matter until it was proved that they deserved it.

Mr Weston denied that he intended any imputation uponjthe '■ personnel of the_ Commission. What he wanted was a distinct report on each route. The amendment was then put, and negatived by 10 to 3, and the original motion, was carried. The Chairman reported that he had received a cheque for .£5 5s from Mr John Holmes. The meeting then adjourned.