CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 453, 6 April 1909, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the Council of the Chamber cf Commerce was held in the Secretary’s office yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs G. H. Stiles (chairman), G. Phillips, T. Rimmer, J. K. Hornblow, M. Perreau, F. E. Jenks, Alex. Ross, and the Secretary (Mr P. H. RaeHoward). Correspondence was read from Mr Ed. Newman, M.P., enclosing copy of letter from the Minister of Public Works, re survey of the proposed connecting link of the

Main Trunk Railway between Levin and Marton via Foxton. The Minister stated that from information obtained it appeared that a line of railway could be constructed which would be of advantage to the settled districts westward of the existing main line, and would bring all places north of Greatford about fifteen miles nearer to Wellington by rail. The Minister stated that the projected new line, if constructed, would junction at Marton. The line from Levin to Marton would be about forty-two miles in length, but apart from the two bridges over the Mauawatu and Rangitikei rivers the route presents no engineering difficulties. The country to be traversed is practically level and there would be no less than one mile of grades steeper than 1 in 100 and no sharp curves. The cost of constructing the whole line from Levin to Marton would not be less than At present no officer was availal le to carry out a detailed survey of the suggested line.

A lengthy discussion took place on the Minister’s letter. It was pointed out that the arguments urged against the line in a certain quarter were now fully answered by the Minister, who had authoratively stated that there were no engineering difficulties. Mr Jenks said that had the settlers in this district been alive to their interests the terminus of the Manawatu railway would have been at Foxtou instead of Longburn. The survey of the line had been made to Foxton. When the directors of the Manawatu Company came to Foxton to canvass for shares they received very little support—in fact, he believed only two local residents took up a few shares. Such hearty support was given at Palmerston that it resulted in the terminus being fixed at Longburn. Subsequently a company was formed to construct the railway from Levin to Greatford, engineered by Mr Wright Stevenson, and the capital arranged to carry it out, but the Government stepped in and blocked it. After further discussion the Chairman moved, and Mr Jenks seconded, the following resolution: That correspondence from the Minister for Public Works in reference to shortening the railway route between Wellington and Auckland by linking the Main Trunk line between Levin and Marton, be forwarded to the Chambers of Commerce along the route between Wellington and Auckland, and the Chambers be respectfully requested to co-oper-ate with the Foxton and Marton Chambers in urging upon the Government the necessity and importance to the Dominion of constructing this line; also requesting the Chambers to bring the subject under the notice of their Parliamentary representatives.

The resolution was carried unanimously. The offer of the Foxton Harbour of a site at the Heads for the erection of proposed freezing works was very favourably commented upon by members, and the Chairman moved and Mr Horublow seconded : “That this Chamber expresses its appreciation of the Harbour Board’s magnificent offer of a site for the erection of proposed freezing works at the Manawatu Heads, which is fraught with such possibilities for the port and district, and urges the Board if possible to send a delegate to the meeting of promoters to be held at Woodville to-morrow to further explain the advantages of erecting the works at the Foxton Heads, and that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the member for the district.”

A resolution was passed, expressing the Chamber’s appreciation of Mr Newman’s efforts in furthering the various matters which have been brought under his notice from time to time, and hoping that he will continue to zealously guard the interests of the district.