EAST AND WEST COAST RAILWAYS.

Kumara Times, Issue 916, 6 September 1879, Page 4

EAST AND WEST COAST RAILWAYS.

SIR GEORGE GREY AX CHRISTCHURCH. I next come to the question of the West Coast railway. (Applause.) Well now, upon that point I have to say this, that when no thought whatever had entered my mind that any nearer relation whatever should exist between myself and tße people of Christchurch, I, from a sense of duty, used all the influence in my power to secure the immediate construction of that railway, (Cheers.) I determined that so far) as in me lay, that the railway should be made. I determined that the two Coasts of the Island should be united together. I determined, knowing that it would open up fertile tracts of land in several points, that those tracks should be occupied by people settled upon deferred payments as the line went on, and at every available point between this city and the West Coast, European settlements should exist which would benefit by the railway, and create commerce and trade which must be advantageous to Christchurch itself. I have also to say this that no difficulty shall stop myself or, I believe, my colleagues in our efforts to obtain that, end ; no one report cf the difficulties shall deter us. lam satisfied that if a determined effort is made to unite two great centres of population as these, a line of railway can be found and it shall be found. (Applause.) And, mind, I say this without asking your suffrages on this account, because long before I thought that this determination had been made. I believe there never was an opportunity of doing greater good to the country than by the construction of a railway of that kind between two places which largely produce different commodities, such as the West Coast and Christchurch. It was like marrying two persons, who can each bring an ample dower to the other. You rebuire their timber, you require their gold, you require, I believe, their coal to some extent, because it is coal of the finest quality. They, on the other hand, require your grain, your beef, your mutten, and and all the commodities which you raise here, and to establish that railroad is at once to create a large internal traffic through the country, (Cheers.) Therefore rest assured of this if you reject me I will work just as hard for your railway as if you take me for your representative.