Railway Meeting.

Manawatu Herald, 5 September 1895, Page 2

Railway Meeting.

The meeting of the committee of the Greatford Levin Bail way was held last night at 7.30 at Mr McMillan's auction rooms. There was a good attendance, and Mr Perreau occupied the chair. The chairman, who was one of the deputation that waited on tin Premier in regard to the above

question, explained to the meeting what bad been done, and spoke of the great faith he still held of the Cabinet agreeing to the wishes of the deputation. He said the meeting had been called to consider some important correspondence that had been received, ancTfo 'fi&nsaolt 4ojT business that may be br^ugl^ forward. • i The secretary to. the commmes (Mr A. Kerr) then read the following letters, the first being one from Mr j. Or. Wilson, M.H.R., who introduced the deputation to the Premier. It is as follows :— Wellington, Sept. 2nd., 1895. Dear Sib,— ln asking the Government to tske running powers we do not •ommit them to anything. In all contracts I believ« with railway companies this is the usual course. But the after arrangements as to What they will do when the line has been built must be between the Government and the Company. It commits neither m »r as I can understand until the whole working arrangements are come to between the two pai'lief concerned. ['-pi fusranteeing ft percentage cqnWd in the «ame way for further con. sideration, the constructors would have to take their chancel as to the return for outla.t. relying upon the mpport they would lili'-ly receive for their returns unlesi the C4ovevriment were to specially agree either (1) to guarantee A percentage on the cob* and run the line themselves in connection with their own service, or (2) agree to run their service to suit the Company. The local bodiet could noUegally enter into any agreement. as4o|payinj|or guaranteeing an j tiling towards eveatjjgjrking exptfteesj 1 should say, for the Counties Act or the Municipal Corporations Act wou'd not permit them to do bo. So the constructors must, if they decide to go on with the matter, not g 'rely upon the Government (unless they specially agree to nn arrangement) or the local bodies upon anything more than what the contract with the local .bodies sets out. . . . l: Hi' Jardine told me that he had received-, n. lcttci' from London to the effect that 'ft the Government did not give their consent the capitalists at Home connected with the purchase proposed to go on with the line and take their chances of success after the line was built. Whether the Bank business would have I any effect upon their docision I do not know. It might, however, oause them to change their minds. I hope, however, that it will not and we may yet live to gee;; the day that trains will be running through Foxton regularly, connecting the diatriot with Wellington and Wanganui. I do not despair of it myself, and it seemi possible that it will come sooner than I anticipated. Pray cordially thank the people of Pox* t >n for the ready and hearty support they have given to the matter. If the Government give their consent, the energetic action of the Foxton people in getting up their meeting and obtaining the signatures to the memorial, will have been one of the principal factors in inducing them to give it. I have never known the district to take such a speedy and active interest in any 1 public matter before, and I am glad to find ; that though times are dull the residents are | so well a'ive to their own interests ftnd td. the iniereste of the district. It strengthened my hands very much and gave roe ' much more heart to have such a strong and representative deputation to assist me. I Yours faithfully, ! James G. Wimon. The ppenod letter was from the solicitor nc ing for the promoters, j Mr Alex. J 41-dine, the first portion of which is omitted. It was as follows : — ■'■;*«• Wellixgtou, 3rd Sept., 1895. D.-ar Sir,— l am in receipt of your letter I of yesterday's date and Mr Kerr's.Qf the 151 st ult. . . . . If you remember ']! "; ! impres«(l on the deputation that all that | was want d was that the Government would not oppose the line being made, and when constructed that they would mm it. Nothing specific was asked, only that they would ?/.»f it. Mr John Davies explained. this and put it very forcibly to the fteno'er lam told. Mr Stevens has sinoe told me that tho vepiesen'ations of the deputation i.vmore tbwHKcftp* ttftlM sW? H *VfcWtß wilt be gad to know, * •*~'3L •«««. On Saturday last I received a letter front ' Mr Hunt, of London, in whioh he says the financiers wiU*diapense with .th£*opnfi&on for the Government to say theywrald*use the line, until the line is constructed. This is satisfactory. . We are now 4n ft better position than we have been. ' . r \ I trust this will be satisfactory to you*- .-. self and those acting with you ; and with renewed expression of thanks for your and their va'uable assistance. • Y6\ir£faitfifully. R Aimc. jAßfjg^. After the correspondence was read, several, member^ spoke and themselves" plea"ssd at the general outlook of things. /"•.'■ It wag proposed by the chairman, seconded by Mr Jenkti^ That the members of the Committee gratefully recognize the services of onrthember, Mr J. G. Wilson, so far in connection with the Manawatu Junction Railway, and respectfully tender Warour sincere and hearty thank&Tor the J * same, and that a copy df this resolution be forwarded to him. ■"-' : In moving the above resolution the chairman stated that it had been - mainly through Mr Wilson'f watchful exertions that the deputation had. -. been enabled to interview the Premier amidst the stress of the J Bank • business. - j0 • ' .•■• . The resolution was carried unanimously. Votes of thanks was also passed to Mr John Stevens, M.H&*j&n4;-. the other members who ofcmpdwd the deputation, on the motion of Mr West wood, seconded by Mr WaUb. Proposed by Mr Henneasy, seoon* •■ ded by Mr Jenks, That this meeting be adjourned until such time' as we receive a report from the Cabinet* Carried. A vote ot thanks wngr pfsjgd^v the chairman, and the meeting adjourned.