LEVIN-MARTON RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1507, 8 February 1916, Page 3

LEVIN-MARTON RAILWAY.

CONFERENCE AT MARTON

The conference of local body delegates held at Martou on Saturday morning, to consider steps to be taken in reference to the evidence to be placed before the Royal Commission set up to inquire iuto. and report on the the Levin-Marton railway proposal and proposed extension of the Sandon tramway was attended by the following representatives : - Sir James G, Wilson and Messrs A. K. Drew (Manawatu County), P. W. Goldsmith (Horowhenua County), H. Richardson. B. P. Lethbridge, K. W. Dalrymple, F. Brice (Rangitikei County), F. C. Wilson, Lloyd (Marton Borough), A. Fraser, G. Coley (Foxtou Borough), C. Blenkhorn, B, R. Gardener (Levin Borough), H. McManaway (Bulls Town Board), E. J. Wilde and Kensington (Marton Chamber of Commerce), and W. H. Field and E. Newman M’s.P. Sir James Wilson was voted to the chair. The Chairman said that he understood the Foxton Harbour Board would deal with the Foxtou wharf acquisition question aloue, so that the confidence need not take any action in this question, but could devote its whole energy to the railway and tramway matters.

The business to be considered by the conference was the evidence to be placed before the Commission. As far as the Manawatu County Council was concerned they were quite prepared to hand over tho tram to the Government at a reasonable figure although the residents in the district were better served at present than they would be if the line were controlled by the Government. They recognised, however, that the deviation of the Main Trunk was in the interests of the whole Dominion and would not stand in the way. Mr W. H. Field said the conference need only consider the railway matters, as the Foxton Harbour Board had already met and decided upon a plan ot campaign in connection with the wharf acquisition question. In connection with the deviation of the Main Trunk Railway from Levin to Marton, a survey had been made in 1896 and the report then clearly indicated that the railway should be constructed, but that before it was gone on with the Main Trunk railway from Wellington to Auckland should first be completed. The speaker said that now the main line had been completed for some seven or eight years and it was thought the time had arrived for the recommendation contained in that report to be given effect to, although of course, it would have to wait until alter the war, Mr Newman and himself had been instrumental in getting the Commission appointed, and he believed that, provided all the evidence possible were brought before that tribunal, a favourable recommendation would be obtained. The railway was of national importance and they should get the support of every town between Wellington and Auckland and Wellington and New Plymouth, and he strongly urged that efforts should be made to obtain the sympathy of all these places. The main opposition would come from Palmerston North and Feilding, but there should be no difficulty whatever in bringing forward evidence that would outweigh any opposition from that quarter. It had been suggested that the Government was not sincere in these matters, but he was not ot that opinion- They had set up a very strong Commission and he felt sure that any recommendations they make would be acted upon by the Government. The business of the conference was to set up the machinery necessary to put the case before the Commission in the strongest possible light. He would suggest that a number of sub-committees be set up, whose business it would be to confer with all local bodies Interested and gather evidence. Mr Newman said he considered the appointment of the Commission a very satisfactory milestone in the progress of the wharf acquisition question, and he felt sure that the report of the Commission would be such as to enable the Board to get possession of the wharf. The matter of linking up the Main Trunk Line between Levin and Marton was in the Interests of the whole of New Zealand and the district between Wellington and Auckland and Wellington and New Plymouth was very closely interested. He was disappointed that Messrs W. T. Jennings (Taumarunui) and R. W. Smith (Waimarino) were

not present at the conference, but he had no doubt that they would later take an active interest in the proposal. He was confident that the Commission could not help but recommend the construction of the railway at some time or other. It was a matter for con gratulatiou that they had at last got a tribunal that would give tlfcj matter proper consideration, and it was for the people interested to see that all the evidence possible was placed before the Commission. He favoured the setting up of subcommittees to deal with the various points. Mr Lethbridge thought it would be better to have one committee to deal with the whole matter. Mr Gardener said there was a good deal of work to do in the way of collecting evidence, as all the data they now had was over twenty years old and was, consequently, out of date. The district bad made great progress in that time and conditions and statistics had entirely altered. The Commission should be shown the progress that had been made during the past 20 years—the increase in dairying, cropping, etc., and the great rise in the capital value. It would also be necessary to draw up statistics showing the distance that would be saved and the consequent saving in running expenses. The proposed deviation would save at least 15 miles and if there were eight trains each way dally, it would meau a saving of yo,ooo miles per annum. He considered it was necessary to set up subcommittees to get the necessary statistics together.

Sir James Wilson favoured the setting up of a committee for each locality. There were special features iu the different localities and the committees could arrange the particular evidence and select witnesses.

Mr Field recommended a main committee to deal with all the questions and sub committees for local work.

Mr Blenkhorn thought the object of the conference should be to recognise as little as possible the severability of the questions and deal with same from a national standpoint. He moved that the general committee consist ot all the delegates present. This was seconded by the Chairman and carried. Sir James Wilson was elected chairman, and Mr A. K. Drew, secretary. The conference then went into committee to discuss details and set up the sub-committees. The lollowiug sub-committees were appointed : Messrs Field and Newman, M.’sP. to be members of all committees.

No. x. Chairmen Manawatu, Rangitikei and Horovvheuua County Councils ; Mayors of Foxton, Marton and Levin ; Chairmen Bulls Town Board, Marton and Hunterville Chambers of Commerce. Mr Blenkhorn was appointed convener and Mr Gardener secretary.

No. 2. —Chairmen Rangitikei and Manawatu County Councils ; Mayor of Marton ; Chairmen of Marton and Hunterville Chambers of Commerce and Mr F. Purnell. Convener, Sir J. G. Wilson; secretary, Mr Drew.

No. 3. —Mayors of Foxton and Levin ; Chairman of Horowheuua County Council. Mr Fraser to be convener and secretary.

It was decided that another conference be held at Marton on Saturday, February 19th, to receive reports of sub committees.