East and West Coast Railway.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 1446, 4 September 1885, Page 4

East and West Coast Railway.

(UNITED PRKSS ASSOCIATION.") Ciiristchukch. Thursday. A monster open-air demonstration was held here yesterday m favor of the East Coast and West Coast and Nelson Hail way. It was the largest gathering that has ever taken place m this city. A procession composed of representatives from the various trades and friendly societies, members of the City and Borough Councils, Road Boards, Industrial Association, and other public bodies, was marshalled m Cathedral Square at 2 p.m, thence it marched through the city to Hagley-park, the procession being quite a mile m length, and the streets crowded all along Hie lino of route. At the Park a mass meeting was held, attended by quite 20,000 persons of both sexes. Mr A. Ayres, the acting Mayor presided. Mr. C. C. Bowen proposed the first resolution as follows :— " That, m the opinion of this great gathering, representing all clases of the people of Canterbury, it is an injustice to the interests of Canterbury, Wostland, and Nelson, that the prosecution of a colonial work of the importance of the East and West Coast and Nelson Railway should be nny longer delayed, and that, while trusting that the sum of £150,000 placed upon the Estimates will not be rejected by the IJoiiHr, the Legislature be earnestly invited to proceed with the development of a scheme for dea'ing finally and comprehensively with the construction of this line." Mr G. S. St«ad seconded th« resolution, which was cart ied by acclamation. Mr Acton Adams moved, "That thia gathering desires to tender its best thanks to the Canterbury and other members of the House of Representatives who had advocated the construction of the East and West Coast and Nelson Railway, and trusts they will not relax their effort until this important work has been commenced." Mr J. D. Frankish seconded the motion, which, li'je the proceeding one, was enthusiastically received and adopted. Though the assemblage was so largo, and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed, the proceedings were most orderly througout, not a single accident or case of disorderly conduct occurring to mar the success of the gathering.