KAWHIA AND THE RAILWAY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 454, 6 April 1912, Page 5

KAWHIA AND THE RAILWAY.

DELEGATES AT OTOROHANGA

THE BANQUET.

After the public meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest between the Kawhia delegates and Otorohanga, the visitors were entertained at a°smoke social, one of the pleasantest functions of its kind that has been held in the district. The gathering was a most representative one. including delegates from Kawhia, Waitomo County Council. Marokopa, Te Rau-a-Moa. and Te Kuiti, and was notable for the quality of the various speeches. The chairman of the Town Board opened the proceedings by proposing the toast of the "King." Captain Berry, in a very neat speech, proposed "The Army and Navy," and Mr W. J. Worthington, in responding, dwelt particularly upon the need for all men, especially soldiers, to be able to shoot. He was quite prepared to admit that d\A\ was good, and a necessary part of. a soldier's education, but what was the good of the drill if a man could nut shoot? Mr Hall, whose name was also coupled with the toast, was of the same opinion as the two previous speakers, that the compulsory training was a good scheme, but he thought some provision ought to be made to initiate the older teachers intj the mystery of the drill that they have to teach the boys.

In responding to the toast of "Our Guests," Mr C. R. Morris spoke of the mutual benefits to be derived from such gatherings, holding that the assimilation of ideas and combination of: forces were the most powerful means of securing desired ends. Messrs Jonathan and Scholes were called upon to reply on behalf of "Local Bodies," and*both were of the opinion that Kawhia and Waitomo had justified their decision of ten years ago to become operative counties. The latter advocated more frequent conferences between local bodies, and supported the object of the gatherings, contending that inland King Country should be connected with its seaboard by routes within itself—in fact, there should be a King Country electorate. He was an ardent believer in metalled roads, and suggested a loan for the purpose in connection with the Otorohanga-Te Rau-a-Moa roari, as an attraction for mail traffic.

Mr Seymour's toast of "The Backblockers" was warmly received, Messrs C. Haylock, J. Randall and G. McD. Robertson responding. Messrs Buckeridge and Jonathan responded to "Commercial Communications," the former speaking appreciatively of the successful occupation of lands along the suggested route. The iourney that day bad demonstrated what could be done in the way of transit of passengers and mail with comfort and expedition. Cobden's assertion tnat "the condition of a country's roads was an indication of the intelligence and industry of its people" was apposite to backblock communication and its relation to commercial prosperity. The settlement and productive occupation of the intervening land between the Main Trunk and the coast would induce railways and metalled roads as a natural sequence. The desideratum to be achieved was expeditious settlement by bona fide settlers, for land speculation should be discouraged just as much as a "taihoa" policy should be deprecated. He strongly advocated linking up of Kawhia harbour with its back country by means 'of roads, increased facilities for berthing Home boat 3 on its waterfront, and the prospecting and survey of the most advantageous route connections between this port and the Main Trunk. (Applause.) After explaining that he had been deputed by his chamber to deal at the conference with the matter of railway connection between the Kawhia harbuur and the southern Waikato, Mr Jonathan stated that for some years it bad been hoped that an opportunity for debate would occur between the Kawhia League and those representing the hinterland.contiguous to the harbour. The advantages to be gained by using the magnfiicent western gateway were numerous and affected the whole Dominion, representing a great saving in the carriage of goods to a very large extent of country, amounting to many thousands of pounds per annum to the settlers. The line would, within a few months of opening, be one of the most remunerative railways in the Dominion, besides making it an easy matter to harvest to the best advantage many millions pounds' worth of timber, which was now rapidly wasting, at colossal loss to the country, while the line would pass over an inexhaustible bed of cual. The Kawhia harbour was the best deep-water port on the West Coast, and the nearest in New Zealand to Sydney. Vessels drawing 20ft of water could easily work it, which 'showed the tremendous asset which was lying idle practically, instead of benefitting the vast area from Frankton to Waimarino, and perhaps further afield. It was a business proposal of great value in that sett'ers were paying equivalent to 20a per ton excess freight, and this branch line would obviate the necessity for duplicating the .Main Trunk. The speaker went on (o say that as soon as the line was authorised freez-

ing works would be established at Kawhia on a large scale to deal with the great volume of fat stock available to be shipped Home direct, instead of so many handlings, as at present, and the same argument equally applied to wool and butter. As a tourist resort Kawhia was bound to be popular, providing as it did some of the best fishing and finest scenery in the Dominion, with hot springs which only required development.

After dealing with many other matters of equal importance, the speaker exhorted those interested to institute a strenuous agitation with

• the object of bringing pressure to | bear, 50 that the Government, may rej cognise in a practical manner this sysi tern of railway extension, mooted by ! Sir Georgn (irey, advocated by the j late Hon. R. J. Scclcion, and the trial J survey of which had been repeatedly j promised.

! Mr Jonathan's speech was punctuated by frequent, applause, and tho \ following motion was carried unani- | mously. amidst prolonged cheering: - "Tliat the Government be urged to i authorise a 'Hal survey of railway ! route betvveen the .Main Trunk line J and the best deep water at Kawhia I harbour."

Mr C. Ilaylock endorsed the need for a trial survey of the various possible lines, irrespective of a fixed route, and a further motion was also carried, "that delegates be appointed from Otorohanga, Kawhia and Te Kuiti, to go to Wellington to interview the Government re trial survey of proposed railway route from the Main Trunk line to Kawhia harbour." The toast of "The Ladies" was left in the capable hands of Mr Foster, and was feelingly responded to by Messrs Johnston and Hawkins, while "The Press" (proposed by Mr White) was acknowledged by the representatives of the King Country Chronicle and the Kawhia Settler.

At the stage Mr J. A. Ormsby made an eloquent appeal for a little more toleration on the part of the European for the less favourably situated Maori. The native race had only had half a century's benefit of civilisation, and it was scarcely reasonable to expect too much. The speaker received a sympathetic hearing, and was warmly applauded on concluding his address.

The health of the chairman was enthusiastically received, Mr Morris (on behalf of the Kawhia delegates) again thanking him and his committee of the hearty welcome extended, and the National Anthem closed the proceedings.