WESTLAND RAILWAY LEAGUE AND MR. SEDDON, M.H.R.

Kumara Times, Issue 2987, 31 May 1886, Page 2

WESTLAND RAILWAY LEAGUE AND MR. SEDDON, M.H.R.

[From to-day's West Coast Times.] A meeting of the Westland Rai'way League was held on Saturday evening at the office of the County Council* flokitika. His Worship the Mayor was voted to the chair. The objects" of the meeting were stated to be to take into consideration the action of Mr Seddon, M.H.R., in raising objections and obstacles to the furtherance of the East and West Coast Railway. Several members of the League expressed their astonishment at the action of Mr Seddon in retarding the progress of the matter, and it was proposed that the Premier be wired to and informed (hat the people of Westland were, to a man, in favour of the work being proceeded with. Mr Rae, Hon. Sec. to the League, suggested that it would be, perhaps, I better to adjourn the meeting to the following Monday evening, when members, and the public generally, could look more fully and carefully into the objections urged by Mr Seddon. It appeared that Mr Seddon objected that the Syndicate, under the present terms of their contract, could claim the whole of the Kumara and other goldfields. Was that the case or not? If so, of course, it was a serious objection. It was also stated but not by Mr Seddon that the Syndicate could claim the whole of the unoccupied Crown lands in Westland. That was nonsense, and there was no truth whatever in that objocticn. Mr Hudson pointed out that the East and West Coast Railway Construction Act made every provision for all possible contingencies with regard to goldfields, auriferous knds and* all other matters. Section 9 said : " JS T o lands used for mining purposes or gold workings shall be deemed to be Crown lauds under this Act." In fact, everything was distinc ly provided for. The Mayor said -he rather th-light Mr Seddon's opposition was pr-isonai to theGovernnioi*- he was afraid thai}

Mr Seddou, in opposing the railway, was opposing the Government. Mr Pollock regretted Mr Seddon's action very much. He had always supported that gentleman, and he was sorry indeed to see him take up his present attitude. Mr Jack was in favour of wiring at once to the Government, informing them of the distinct views of the people here that nothing should be allowed to stop the progress of the railway. Mr Pollock said \vi<h regard to the land, that instead of opposition the people ought to be glad to see something done to get the lands of Westland occupied and settled on. What earthly use were they at present to anyone? The company would settle population upon them and thus confer a benefit on the whole community. After further discussion, it whs resolved to telegraph to Mr Bevan, M.H.R., informing him that the people here were thankful to him for his support of the Government in this matter, and trusting that he would use his best endeavours to forward the line. Also, to inform Mr Seddon that the League hoped he would offer no further opposition to the wishes of the people here. The meeting then adjourned until this evening, at the Town Hall, at 8 p.m., when a public meeting will take place to further this important subject.