Proposed Railway to Kawhia

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 211, 2 June 1905, Page 2

Proposed Railway to Kawhia

MEETING OF.-DELEGATES.

A meeting of the Kawhia Harbour Rail way League was held in Scott’s Hail on Friday night last, Mr T. D. , Hamilton. J.P., in the chair. There ' was a Fair attendance of local residents, and also the following delegates:— Messrs A. Babbage and Robertson (Te Awaroa), D. M'Donald (Kinohaku), G. Whitcombs and E. D. Hamilton (Kiri tebere), H, Armstrong (Oparau) andlJ. H. Randall (Te Rau-a-moa). A letter from Mr H. H. Pettit was read, stating that owing to the press of business be would be unable to accept the position of secretary and teeasurer, and k'r W. A. Gosling was unanimously elected to the vacancy. The Chairman stated that he was glad to see such a representative gathering, and hoped they would all do their best to help on a movement that was not only for their good, but also for the good of the whole country within a radius of many miles. The Upper Waikato and centra! districts of the North Island would be brought much nearer the sea board by such a railway. Mr Babbage observed that the district he represented was alive to the necessity of agitation for a railway being at once commenced, and he hoped that all would work together for that object and not allow any petty jeabusies to interfere with this matter. It was not the object of the promoters to benefit one part of the district more than another, and be hoped the route would be left entirely in the hands of ‘the Government. Mr Whrtcombe thought the wording of the petitions in connection with this matter should simply state “ a railway between the main trunk line and the Kawhia Harbour,” leaving the route, as Mr Babbage suggested, in the bands of those in authority. Mr Randle was also against any t route being suggested, in fact he had i been instructed to say that the support . of hia district would only be given on these lines. He thought that now was , the time to get the matter of a railway s under notice, and suggested that Mr . Lang, M.H.R., be written to, asking him to forward a copy of Hansard containing the eipeech of Mr Stevens . the member for Rangitikei about 12 , years ago, concerning the Main Trunk 3 Line and the amount of timber which was in the Government forests at Wai* . marine, etc. Several other gentlemen spoke, and I it was decided that a sub committee . consisting of Messrs T. ]}. Hamilton, 3 Pettit, Gosling and Dr Jenkins draft . a petition, and that each district likely } to be benefited by such railway be 3 supplied with a copy for signature. g the most suitable person residing , therein being chosen to forward the . movement. a A vote of thanks to the chairman I concluded the business.