RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2704, 7 December 1882, Page 3

RAILWAY LEAGUE.

An ordinary weekly meeting of the executive committee of the above League was held last evening at the chambers of Mr T. S. Weston, M.H.R. Present—Mr W. Chrystall (chairman), Messrs T. O, Kelsey. A. G. Howland, J. Joyce, C. Wickes, W.Vincent, A. Scott, D. Reese, T. Pavitt, W. D. Meares, Thornton, J. G. Ruddenklau, R. L. Higgins, J. M. Johnston, H. W. Packer, and T. B. Craig (secretary). Mr Joyce read a letter he had received from Mr Adam Chalmers, of Lyttelton, recommending the holding of a public meeting in Lyttelton to advocate the object of the League. He moved —“ That a public meeting be held at Lyttelton on Thursday, the 14th inst., and that Messrs Pavitt, Reese, Vincent, Higgins, and Kelsey be appointed a committee to attend the meeting to give every information that may be required.” Mr Thornton seconded the resolution, which was put and carried.

A letter was received from Mr Archibald Scott, forwarding statistics re the various East and West Coast Railway routes, which had been compiled from official reports and returns made to the Government. The statistics comprised figures showing the distances, grades, &c. of the Ada Pass and Arthur’s Pass routes, the comparison being much in favor of the latter route. Mr Thornton explained that the said figures had recently been submitted to a meeting in Greymouth, when he showed that they were fallacious, and that the Hokitika League, in its estimates with regard to the Ada Saddle, had taken the route over an unnecessary area.

Mr Euddenklau suggested that the meeting should not now enter into a controversy with regard to the merits of the different routes. They had other business to dispose of. After some discussion, Mr Scott was thanked for his statistics, which were ordered to be considered at some future time.

A letter was read from Mr Wm. Eae, stating that Messrs F. Guinness and E. Wickes, of Christchurch, and Mr W. S. Smith, of Amberley, had been elected members of the Greymouth Eailway League, and would represent that body at the Christchurch Eailway League. A telegram was received from Mr Hankin, of the Eeefton Eailway League, endorsing the action of the Chamber of Commerce and other bodies in urging the Government to extend the powers of the Commissioners, so as to enable them to report on the Ada Pass route.

The Chairman stated that his Worship the Mayor and himself had been considering the question of the establishment of branch railway leagues, and they had drawn up a circular, which had been printed, and which it was proposed to send to the local bodies. He would ask his Worship to move the resolution which had been prepared. Mr Euddenklau then moved—“ That a circular bo drawn up and forwarded to all the local bodies in Canterbury, and the electoral districts of Westland and Nelson, recommending that branch railway leagues be formed in the various distracts or towns for the purpose of co-operating with the Christchurch Eailway League in its endeavours to secure the construction of a railway to connect Canterbury with the West Coast. That the constituencies in the various districts be recommended to invite their respective representatives in Parliament to attend a public meeting before the assembling of Parliament for the purpose of inducing them to support the construction of such a railway. That the various branch leagues when formed be requested to furnish the Christchurch League with any useful information that they may be able to collect with respect to the most advantageous route for such railway between Canterbury and the West Coast. That such branch leagues when formed be also recommended to co-operate with the Christchurch League in its endeavors to induce the Government to abandon the idea of extending the Middle Island trunk line by the Waipara coast, Amuri coast, or inland routes to Blenheim. And, further, that copies of the resolutions passed by this League on November 6th, together with copies of the report presented to the Eailway Commissioners, lie forwarded to the said local bodies.” Mr Eeeso seconded the resolution, which after some discussion was put and carried. On the motion of the Mayor, the circular embodying the resolution was adopted, and ordered to be forwarded to the different local bodies in Canterbury. Westland, and Nelson.

The Chairman suggested that a deputation should be appointed by the committee to wait upon the Minister of Public Works on Monday next. The deputation should bo independent of that representing the Chamber of Commerce. On the motion of Mr Howland the following gentlemen were appointed for the pur-

poso—-His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Ohrystall, Eeese, Higgins, Pavitt, Richardson, Weston, Vincent, and Howland. Messrs W. E. Mitchell, the Mayor of Lyttelton, and Mr Allwright, M.H,E.,were elected members of the committee. Mr Howland said that Mr E. B. Bishop had promised to contribute towards the funds of the League. There was no other business, and the committee adjourned.