Tramway Extension.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 February 1911, Page 4

Tramway Extension.

CONFERENCE AT MARTON.

The Foxton Herald reports that a conference of delegates from the different local bodies interested in. tlie proposed extension of the tramway to Groatford or Marten, was held in the Rangitikoi County Council Cham, ■bor at Marton on Tuesday, for the , •purpose of discussing further steps to bo taken in connection with samo. There were present:—Mssrs J. G. Wilson (chairman), R. E. Beckett (Mayor of ■Marton), R. B. MoKonzie (Manawatn County Council awl Rongotea Chamber of Coinmorco), G. H. Stiles - (Mayor of Foxton), Donald Erased (Rangitikei County Council) A. J. Gibbs (Foxton Borough Council), F. Pnrnoll and, C. B. Collins (Marton Chamber of Commerce), E. Newman, M.P. (Manawa,tu), H. D. Guthrio, M.P. (Oronn). An apology for absence was received from Mr R. W. Smith, M.P., for Rangitikei. The chairman, Mr Wilson, briefly outlined the reason for convening the conference and gave an outline of the history of the tram up to the ■present time. -Everyone recognised the importance of the suggested connection, and it was not necessary for 'the meeting to advance arguments why the line should be continued, but to discuss further steps to he taken to induce the Government to either allow the Manawatu County Council to make the connection or for tho Government to carry out the work themselves. At the .present time the tramway was showing a bigger profit than tver bofore. As Mr Newman, M.P., was fully cognisant of all the facts andknew sometiling about the feeling in the House On tho question he askefl .him to address the meeting. Mr Newman referred to tJhe evidence _ given before tho Railway Committee some time ago, and said from the attitude taken up by the Minister at that time it was'quite plain that he was strongly opposed to the connection being made. Throughout tho Minister's evidence he coupled the tramway extension and the Foxton wharf purchase proposals, and treated the two questions as one. Although the Minister strongly opposed the extension, tho Committe of the House referred the matter to tho favourable consideration of the Government. The question now was, what further steps to take. He would 'b<\ pleased to icary out the wishes of the meeting. At the present time the Foxton Harbour Board was ndeavouring to arrange for the purchase of the wharf and from present appearances it looked as if their negotiations were likely to prove successful at no vory distant date. Under these circumstances, and taking into account tlbat the Minister treated the wharf and extension until the wharf matter was tionable whether it would be wiso to start an active agitation , for the extension until the"* wharf . maer was definitely fixed up. He 5 asked the meeting to consider this-part of the matter very carefully. Mr McKenzie •asked if Mr Newman considered the time to take further steps in connection with tho extension was inopportune. Mr "Newman said it was, of course, a matter for the meeting to decide, and whatever their decision was he would be pleased to do all he could to carry it out. He said that a large number of members in the House were in favour of tho consruction of light railways. Mr McKenzie' said he knew Mr iSewman was exceedingly anxious to foelp the matter along and was doing all he could in this'direction. At the same time lie considered the time had now arrived to stop diallying and commence work. Either tackle the question at once or be done with it for ever. He moved: "That a committee be formed to further the object of tlbis meeting, wih power to convene public meetangs, prepare petition, canvass for signatures,, collect funds, and generally to take such steps as 'they deem necessary to further the object of previous resolution, and the extension of light railways generally; and that the local bodies and Chambers of Commerce in this district extending from Foxton to Ohaknne be invited to appoint one member to represent them on such committee and that the M.P.'s of the district interested 'he ex-officio members of sucli committee; and that the Manawatu County Council be the convenors of the first- meeting." The motion was seconded by Mr •JjonaM Fraser, who said that while the lower portion of the Rangitikei County was very mudi interested! in the extension, the upper portion was not. Personally he was in sympathy with tho momement -and was"of opinion that the time was fast approachong when the connection between Marton and Levin must go 'through. Mr Beckett said that tho first thing ■to decide was where the connection should he—Marton or Greatford; He moved: "That in tho opinion of this meeting, the Sanson tramway, when extended, should connect at Marton, and every effort should he made in this direction. By connecting at Marton passengers would be able to travel by all trains, whoreas if it were Greatfordi only the slow trains would bo available, as it was not a stopping place for the expresses. The .motion wae seconded by M Fraser,

Mr Wilson said lie thought the matter of where the connection should bo was a matter for the engineers. Personally he was of opinion that it would' be easier to connect at a spot between Marten and Greatford.

Mr bowman supported Mr Beckett 4i motion. Hβ differed 1 from Air Jraser'e opinion that the Northern end of the Kwngitikei County was not interested in the connection Hβ considered that right up to Tai<napte the people were as mnoh interted as anyone else. Mr Oollins considered the matter or where the connection was to be made was a suWdinate one/and' the other question should certainly go nrst. The question of connection was. in his opinion, one for the Manawatu County Cuoncil. It was beyond the scope of the meeting, and to aeal with it might cause dissension.

Mr McEenne said lie somewhat agreed with the previious epeaiker, but in order to help the matter along lie would support the-motion. Mr btiles considered the matter of deci<W where the connection snouici; be -was a most important one. W/»en asking .for the support of other bodies it was imperative they sfoould: know where the junction was to be. No dombt there would be greater support received if it were to be a* Marton. He would. 1 support the motion. The motion was carried. Speaking on Mr McKenzie's motion, Mr Purnell said what he considered sliould he done was to insist, ot the trial survey promised on several occasions by the Prime : Miria.9ter.

! ■Mγ Stiles said he strongly favoured the connection .being made, but (he could-not lend his support fo the motion if the agitation was to be set up at once. Mr G-uthrie said! he wanted to make Jus position perfectly clear Oβ Jiad attended the meeting as ho thought the Foxton wharf question, which his district ' would • heartily support, was to be discussed. When ho found out this was not the object of, the meeting he felt a little out °LS jI was not r opposed to the extension .being made •but jte was not in. a position nut iOB distnet m any way. ; He considered' the Minisfcr'e action in

Mocking individual effort was a dog-iii-the-mangor attitude. Mr Gibbs said lie would much prefer the matter "be held in" temiporary abeyance. The motion, was carried.