MOKAU-ITI RAILWAY LEAGUE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 83, 22 May 1908, Page 5

MOKAU-ITI RAILWAY LEAGUE.

The meeting of the Railway League, • he'd on May ?Oih, was not largely ! attended, owing to the stormy weaincr ; of the previous day causing many of the rivers to rise, and thus making travelling difficult. Nevertheless, most of the surrounding districts were represented, and the discussion focussed by some practical resolutions. Mr O'Dwyer occupied the chair, and in the absence of the secretary, Mr J. Anthony was appointed secretary pro. tem. Before going into the question of roads, the chairman called on Mr Elliott to report progress in connection with the railway deviation. After a brief report on this matter had been verbally laid before the League, it was determined that a thorough canvass for funds be made, in order to fully carry out the proposals of the Executive. On the motion of the chairman the names of Messrs N. I. Hunt and Rawstron were added to the members of the Executive. Mr Battley then brought forward his motion, which lay on the table from last meeting, to the effect that a strong petition be forwarded from the whole district asking for stone-crushers and metal the road as far as the 16 mile post, the point of divergence of traffic. Mr Hunt seconded pro forma, and whilst in sympathy with the movement, pointed out that the late engineer (Mr Burd), had made this application four years ago, and had been refused. He agreed with Mr Battley that something should be done at once, as the road was now already in a worse state than ever before. (During the previous week Mr Hunt had his buggy capsized on top of his wife and son on this road.) Mr Elliott advocated the settlers-raising a certain sum, and then obtaining a subsidy of £ for £, or two loans, if possibly, from the Government. He was not altogether in favour of these " petitions,'' which had been repeatedly cast aside. If the Department saw the settlers were helping theroslivft, thay would surely take a hand in the game. The traffic and rapid settlement demanded something different, and a radical change must be immediately made on the first sixteen miles. We were asking for nothing beyond our just rights. Mr Rawstron supported Mr Elliott, and thought that a sum of £3,000 could be obtained if the settlers would pay out the £5 per man. Double this amount would slip away in a year on extra freights. Mr Alder did not agree to the settlers making the main roads. Let the Department do this, and the settlers attend to the bye-roads. Mrßattley's • motion was then put and carried. : Mr Elliott then read a telegram from the Premier, stating he would visit 1 the district about the middle of this i month, and suggested, if the Premier . was brought out over the road as far ; as Wairere, our troubles would cease. : The whole case could then be placed before him, and he would have ocular i demonstration, and practical experi- j ence of the settler's hardships. Mr ' Hunt moved that Mr Elliott wire 1 again stating that a petition was being < largely signed inviting the Premier to < attend and open the Wairere bridge, and thus give the settlers an opportunity of making their " wants and wishes" known. It was decided to : meet again on June 7th. A vote of 1 thanks to the chair concluded a pro- : fitable meeting.