PROPOSED WESTLAND AND CANTERBURY RAILWAY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1506, 2 June 1873, Page 2

PROPOSED WESTLAND AND CANTERBURY RAILWAY.

The following is a copy of the. letter i sent to the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Greymouth (read at the meeting of the Council held on Friday night last) by the Provisional Comjmittee 1 of the proposed railway scheme; from Hokitika to Canterbury : — "To the Mayor and Council o£ the Borough of Greymouth. " Gentlemen — A Committee has been formed here having for its object the advocacy of an extension of the system of railways to be constructed by the Colonial Government, so as to connect both the East ' and West Coast of the Middle Island with all the principal centres north and south, including Nelson, Greymouth, and Hokitika, and thence, via Browniug's Pass to the terminus of the proposed' railway from Christchurch to White Cliff, and so on southward to Qtago, By the plan advocated, a complete circle of rail- ; way would be constructed, whereby the transit would be secured for both Greymouth and Hokitika of the various local products, and the ports throughout the island would be rendered available for every species of merchandise and traffic, at a saving in point of time and money. " Before mooting the question with the Government and the other axecutive bodies, it is desired to obtain the . cooperation and support of Greymouth, so that the whole strength of the West Coast >. interests in Westland may be brought to bear, and thus render success certain. The arguments in favor of the project are ioo Jeogthy for the space alloted in a letter, the importance of the subject however is manifest, and the interests it will conserve numerous. " With the view therefore of thoroughy and heartily urging the matter we are depuled as a sub-committee to solicit the aid and assistance of your Council and the residents of Greymouth and the surrounding districts. , " You will have seen by the reports in the Press the action already taken here, and ii the Council should coincide in the : views expressed, we should desire to be i informed at the earliest date. Should it be decided that a public meeting should ] be held to ventile the subject at Grey- i mouth, perhaps it would meet with the i approval of yourselves that, delegates i should be appointed from here to attend < the meeting, in order to more :

fully the object and advantages to be gained by the construction of a line that would form a main artery through the length and breadth of the island. As Parliament meets very shortly, it will be necessary to take active measures at the earliest date, so as to obtain the support of the members of -the Province^ We shall therefore thank you to" express your intentions (by telegram first) at the earliest date practicable. " Our committee meet to-morrow.(Wed-nesday) evening, and a communication uyon the subject could then be laid before it. " Trusting (that you will deem it expedient to join as one with us for the attainment of the object in view. " We are, gentlemen, "Your obedient servants, " C. E. Button. "M. Casstos. "G.F.Hawkins."