TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 955, 16 February 1911, Page 3

TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

| CONFERENCE AT MARTUN. A conference of delegates from the different local bodies interested iu the proposed extension of the tramway to Greatford or Marten, was held in the Rangitikei County Council Chamber at Martou on Tuesday, for the purpose of discussing further steps to be taken in connection with same. There were present : —Messrs J. G. Wilson (chairman) (Mauavvatu County Council ), R. E. Beckett (Mayor of Martou), R. B. McKenzie (Manawatu Comity Council and Rongotea Chamber ol Commerce), G. H. Stiles (Mayor of Foxto.i), Donald Fraser (Rangitikei County Council), A. J. Gibbs t Foxtou Borough Council), F. Purnell and C. B. Collins (Martou Chamber of Commerce), Wilde (Martou Borough Council), L. Newman M.P. (Manawalu), D. 11. Guthrie M.P. (Oroua), An apology for absence was received from Mr R. W. Smith M.P., for Raugitikei. The chairman, Mr Wilson, briefly outlined the reason for convening the conference and gave an outline of the history of the tram up to the present time. Everyone recognised the importance of the suggested connection, and it was not necessary for the meeting to advance arguments why the line should be continued, but lo discuss further steps lo be taken to induce the Government to either allow the Mauavvatu County Council to make the couuectiou or for the Government to carry out the work themselves. At the present time the tramway was showing a bigger profit than ever before. As Mr Newman M.P. was fully cognisant of all the facts and knew something about the feeling in the House on the question lie asked him to address the meeting. Mr Newman referred to the evidence given before the Railway Committee some time ago, and said from the attitude taken up by the Minister at that time it was quite plain that he was strongly opposed to the connection being made. Throughout the Minister’s evidence he coupled the tramway extension and the Foxton wharf purchase proposals, and treated the two questions as one. Although the Minister strongly opposed the extension, the Committee of the House referred the matter to the favourable consideration of the Government. The question now was, what further steps to take. He would be pleased to carry out the wishes of the meeting. At the present time the Foxtou Harbour Board was endeavouring lo arrange for the purchase of the whaif and from present appearances it looked as if their negotiations were likely to prove successful at no very distant date Under these circumstances, and taking into account that the Minister treated the wharf and extension question as one it was questionable whether it would be wise to start au active agitation for flic extension until the wharf matter was definitely fixed up. He asked the meeting to consider this part of the matter very carefully.

Mr McKenzie asked if Mr Newman considered the time to take further steps in connection with the extension was inopportune.

Mr Newman said it was, of course, a matter for the meeting to decide, and whatever their decision was he would be pleased to do all he could tc carry it out. He said that a large number of members in the House were in favour of the construction of light railways.

Mr McKenzie said he knew Mr Newman was exceedingly anxious to help the matter along and was doing all he could in this direction, At the same time he considered the time had now arrived to stop dallying and commence work. Father tackle the question at once or be done with it for ever. He moved : “That a committee be formed to further the object of this meeting, with power to convene public meetings, prepare petition, canvass for signatures, collect funds, and generally to take such steps as they deem necessary to further the object of previou ■ . • ion and the exten-

sion ut ligiit railways generally ; and that the Local Bodies and Chambers of Commerce in this district extending from Foxtou to Ohakune be invited to appoint one member to represent them on such committee, and that the MsMb of the district interested be ex-olficio members of such committee ; and that the Manawalu County Council be the convenors of the first meeting.”

The motion was seconded by Mr Donald Fraser, who said that while the lower portion of the Kaugitikd County was very much interested in the extension, the upper portion was not. Personally he was in sympathy with the movement and was of opinion that the lime was fast approaching when the connection between Martou and Devin must go through. Mr Beckett said that the first thing to decide was where the connection should lie Marlon or Greattord. He moved ; “That in the opinion of this meeting, the Sanson tramway, when extended, should connect at Marton, and every effort should be made in this direction. By connecting at Marton passengers would be able to travel by all trams, whereas if it were Greattord only the slow trains would be available, as it was not a stopping place for the expresses. The motion was seconded by Mr Fraser. Mr Wilson said he thought the matter of where the connection should be was a matter for the en-

giueers. Personally he was of opinion that it would be easier to connect at a spot between Marten and Grealford.

Mr Newman supported Mr Beckett’s motion. He differed Horn Mr Fraser’s opinion that the Northern end of ihe Rangitikei County was not uucrested in the connection. He considered that light up to Taibape the people were as much interested as anyone else. Mr Collins considered the matter of where the connection was to be made was a subordinate one, and the other question should certainly go first. The question of connection was, in his opinion, one lor the Mauavvatu County Council, It was beyond the scope of the meeting, and to deal with it might cause dissension. Mr McKenzie said he somewhat agreed with the previous speaker, but iu order to help the matter along he would support the motion.

Mr Stiles considered the matter of deciding where the connection should be was a most important one. When asking for the support of other bodies it was imperative they should know where the junction was to be. No doubt there would be greater support received if it were to be at Martou. He would support the motion. The motion was carried.

Speaking on Mr McKenzie’s motion, Mr Purnell said what he considered should be done was to insist on the trial survey promised on several occasions by the Prime Minister.

Mr Stiles said he strongly favoured the connection being made, but he could not lend his support to the motion if the agitation was to be set up at once.

Mr Guthrie said be wanted to make his position perfectly clear. He had attended the meeting as he thought the Foxtou wharf question, which his district would heartily support, was lo be discussed. When he fouud out this was not the object of the meeting he felt a little out of place. Personally he was uot opposed to the extension being made, but he was not in a position to commit his district iu any way. He considered the Minister’s action in blocking individual effort was a dog-in-the-manger attitude. Mr Gibbs said be would much prefer the matter be held in temporary abeyance. The motion was carried.