RAILWAY MEETING.
A largely attended meeting, whose object was to discus 3 matters in connection with pushing forward the railway from the Main Trunk line to Ohura, was held at Niho Ni March 15th. Mr C. K - ll9 ? n ' ' was present, also Mr W. T. ennings. Mr W. SantMson, who occupied chair, after a few i " tr ® ductor J.. : ®~ marks re the object th % called upon Mr M. J- Dunne to read the resolution. , , Mr T de Vere Hunt suggested that a discussion take place before the resolution was put before the meeting. Mr Denison thought it would be better to discuss, the question after the resolution was read, Mr Dunne, then read the following resolution :-"That this large meeting of Ohura settlers wishes to place on record its deep dissatisfaction at the slow progress made on the Okafiukara portion of the Stratford railway and urges on Mr Wilson, M.P., for the district, to make immediate representations to the Government." Continuing, Mr Dunne said the people of this district should object to the show methods adopted by the Government with regard to this railway, and be thought we would all require the old age pension before seeing the railway ooen for traffic, and such slow progress had been made_ at the ie Koura end that it required one of Wraeee's "monoscopes" to see what S been done.-Laughter.-He be^ lieved in speaking to the point. It was said there was a struggle to get money. No money! And tenders were to be called for the tunnel, which was not carried out. (A voice: It is in the Star). Other railways not so important as this had been constructed, and why? Because no voices were heard here. He again protested against the slow methods adopted. They were to have the railway when this Government got into power, but when it came to the Views of the people again there would be some lateration. It was enough to make the people get up on their hind legs and compel the Government to make the railway. Ad-
Mr C. K. Wilson said that he would like to hear the motion further discussed. . ; Mr Denison said that Bettlers who
took up land in the Ohura years ago >Jiad promises that the railway would soon be made, and he considered that the balance of the vote should be spent on thiß end. Mr Bicheno said the construction ot this railway was not progressing as promised. Th e Auckland Railway League had advocated this line as it went through a good district with nearly all small settlers, and it would provide a through route between Auckland and Wellington in case of the Main Trunk being blocked south of the junction as occurred last winter; Besides, it would provide the Ohura with metal for the roads. The main road had been slush for the past ten ye&rs, and the Wbangamomona side had been spoiled by the Public Works traffic. If the P.W.D. had to metal the road, why not do it now. Instead of talking trams talk railway. * We want to talk railway, railway, ali the time. Mr Hunt said that there was no district equal to this that required a railway so much. If it P aid to open up the backblocks it meant an all-round prosperity. He was glad to seß unanimous approval to get this line to Ohura as soon as possible. Mr F. Crespin, a member of tne Auckland Chamber of Commerce, said he was glad to have the opportunity to say a few words. He had travelled through the district for the last nine years and he knew that the settlers had a strong case to put before the public. There had not been in the past the unanimity of the settlers as there should have been. Tbey must Btand together in a matter of this kind. He knew something of the hardships of the district, and he could say that they had the sympahy of the Auckland Railway League, who Would help them all they could. _ They should put aside all party feeling, and he trusted that before long he would be able to take the train from Auckland to Ohura. Mr Wilson, M.P., stated that before being returned as a member a rumour was spread that he had been trying to divert this line, and this he denied. The first step he took was to see about the construction of the tunnel, and he had never left the Minister alone for one day over the matter, and the Minister's reply was "That aH soon sfe we are in a position tenders will be called for the tunnel and construction work on the line could go on at the same time." With regard to the tunnel he would read a telegram recevied that day from the engineer at Taumarunui"Wilson, M.P., Ohura. —Replying your inquiry, tenders called Okahukara tunnel, closing April 30th. Signed Baker/' There was no doubt that this railway had been neglected in the past, but the work could not be carried on without money, and it was a well-known fact, and one which should appeal to senJnle men, that when the present Gocame into power money was very tight. He would read a Public Works statement of expenditure on the Stratford-Main Trunk line from April Ist, 1912, to February 28th, 2913 ■ East End: Expenditure to February 28th, 1913 (incluading imprest payments not yet entered in head office books), £20,294. West End: Expenditure to 20th February, 1913, (including imprest payment not vdt entered in head office books), £71,520. Total: £91,814. £91,000 was authorise for this railway. The Government was desirous of pushing on this line from the Main Trunk as Auckkland was the outlet for their produce, and he was always willing to do his duty as their representative. There was one thing he would advise them to do the next time they called a public meeting, that was to pay the expenses of a representative of one of the big papers, for, •with all respect to the local paper, it Would have more weight and people outside would know the wants and
requirements of the district. He would not be more progress was made and would do his best to back it up. IE after a while they felt progress was not rapid enough, have, another meeting. He might say that he had a definite promise from Mr Masscy to visit the Ohura next month, then they would have an opportunity of showing him the necessity of a railway in the Ohura district.
Mr W. T. Jennings, who upon ris ing to speak was greeted with applause, expressed his pleasure at being mongst them that day. He was glad to say that he was representing an Auckland and a Taranaki paper, so that their grievances would become widely known.. He contended that this should not be made a party question, but all unite together and try and get the line put through. It would be a rotten sort of business to do otherwise, and he was pleased to hear the remarks of Mr Wilson in that respect. \ It was freely rumoured in Taranaki that there Was to be another attempt to divert this line again, but if it meant a better route to avoid the Tangarakau Gorge without interferring otherwise, so much the better. He had advocated for this line for the past 25 years and he was pleased to find that the people were now unanimous. He was always in favour of the lino being carried as far as Wbangamomona on the Taranaki end as the setlters had been in the mud for the last 18 years; but very slow progress hai been made on the Te Koura end. He came through there the other day and he did not see a dozen men on the work. If more progress was not made let their mem ber pull the ropes in Wellington. He believed it would take three years to complete the tunnel, therefore no time should be lost.
In moving the resolution Mr Dunne said it occurred to him that there was something leaking, something radically wrong for instead of there being a few men on the work there Bhould be at least 300. The work had been neglected in the past and the neglect was now doubled. The chaiman stated that the people did not realise the importance of the country. They might have to wait 10 years fur the railway at this rate, and the Government should shift themselves or be shifted.
The resolution was put to the meeting and carried unanimously, a large show of hands being immediately raised.
Mr C. K. Wilson suggested that he chairman should draft a strong wire and send to the Government. Mr Bicheno suggested that a branch of the Auckland Railway League be formed here and members contribute Is each.
Mr Crespin said it woula be better to form a league of their own here as it would show that the people were taking an interest in the question. The Auckalnd people did not know much of the Ohura, but y?ould do all in their power to help them. Mr Dunne mentioned that they did start a league of 30 or 40 some time ago, but he did not know what had become of it, but he supposed it had been lost in the mud somewhere. — Laughter. Mr W. K. Williams said that Mr Wilson, as our member, must have noticed the state of the road over which their stores had to be carried. The cost of geting goods from Ongarue to Ohura last winter was as high as £l2 per ton and thiß winter it was likely to be as much as £2O per ton on account of the state of the roads, and the settlers had to pay a large percentage of this cost and he would ask to have this road made better. He would therefore move that the road be improved. ■ —■ Seconded by Mr Bicheno.
Mr Hunt said that hj? would suggest that any money spent on the road should be spent in metal. —Hear, hear. —lt had been the practice for the past 10 years to shovel out shallow water tables and place this soft material on the centre of the road with the result that it was scooped out again with the first rain, leaving the road in a worse state than ever. It was money absolutely thrown away.
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King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 553, 26 March 1913, Page 5
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1,746RAILWAY MEETING. King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 553, 26 March 1913, Page 5
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