THE WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Kumara Times, Issue 2082, 2 May 1883, Page 2

THE WEST COAST RAILWAY.

A conference between members of the House of Representatives and the Canterbury West Coast Railway League was held on Thursday, last at the City Council Chambers, Christchurch. The members of the House of Representatives present were—Messrs H. Thomson, H. Allwright, J. Holmes, Ivess, O'Callaghan, M'Millan,, J. E. Brown, W. F. Pearson. Apologies for non-attendance were read from the Hon. W. Rolleston, Messrs W. Montgomery, E. J. Lee, H. Wynn Williams, J. Petrie, R. J. Seddon, W. White, jun., W. J. Steward. The members of the League present were—Meßsrs Chrystall, Weston, Reese, E. Jones, Howland, T. B. Craig, Kelsey, Wickes, Higgins, Vincent, F. Jones, T. Pavitt, Hon. E. Richardson. The following letter of apology was read from R. J. Seddon, Esq., M.H.R. : " To W. Chrystall, Esq., Chairman Railway League. " Sir—ln answer to your circular and telegram inviting me to attend a conference to be held in Christchurch on the 26th inst., re East and West Coast Railwa3 r , it is with unfeigned regret that I, owing to pressure of private business, inform you of my inability to attend. You may, however, rely upon my hearty co-operation with Canterbury members in advocating in Parliament the construction of the East and West Coast liue of railway. I may state that I have no fad as to any particular route, therefore my support is unconditional. If there be any disunion as to route, &c, then in such case the powerful advocates at work re the East Coast line will watch their opportunity, and take advantage of our want of nnaanimity of action. Disunion on our part means their success, and no one would regret more than I to see them successful, for the construction of the East Coast line would prove disastrous to the best interests of the colony, and prove beneficial only to the owners of those lands through which the same passes; whilst the construction of the line of railway connecting Canterbury with the West Coast would be of immense benefit to the districts particularly affected, besides profiting the colony as a whole. In conclusion, I wish you every success, and earnestly assure you that no effort of mine shall be wanting to assist in promoting what I consider to be one of the most pressing of our colonial works, and one which in fairness to the people of Canterbury and the West Coast ought to be constructed out of the proceeds of the present four million loan. " I have the honor to be, " Yours sincerely, " Richard John Seddon. " Kumara, April 23rd, 1882,"