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Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1930, Page 4

The death of Mr H. Quane, reported from Christchurch last week, removes the lust of three notable figures, who at a vital stage, took a very important part in forging ahead-the ultimate completion of the Midland railway. Now. that the line has so well justified the faith of those interested in the completion of the great work, it is not without interest to recall briefly the history of the past, and give credit where it is due to the moving spirits of the period when matters 'affecting the line hung in the balance. In 11X)3 the fate of the line was in doubt, and Canterbury was perturbed, and the following year the Chamber of Commerce in Christchurch set up the East and West Coast Railway Committee. Mr Quane was the President of the Chamber and Mr E. W. Roper the Chairman of the Committee. These two gentlemen organised a very active campaign, and along with Mr John O’Halloran addressed a notable public meeting at the Town Hall, Hokitika, on the subject As an outcome of the visit to the Coast the Westland Railway League was constituted, and support was given also from Grey mouth. The following year a monster deputation went to Wellington, and placed tlie position before the Premier (Mr Seddon). Mr Quane was the principal speaker on that occasion. A very sympathetic reply was made by Mr Seddon, and as an outcome £IOO,OOO was voted that year by Parliament for the work. The work was prosecuted rapidly thereafter, arid it was riot long before the difficult seotipn to Brokeri River was m hand. This particular agitation operated at a vital stage in _ the building of the railway, and but for the energy and enthusiasm of Messrs Quane and Roper, the completion of the line might have been longer delayed. There was a notlier vital period before the great tunnel was started, but that is another story, and the country owes it to the late Sir Joseph Ward for his courage and determination in accepting a ten- 1 der for the work in the face of sustained political opposition from the North Island. Now that the railway is an accomplished fact, and is justifying itself year by year, it is pleasing to look back and review the earnest work of many of those who took a special interest in the completion, and who inspired those' about them to work ardently for the final linking up of the two coasts.