MEETING AT WAKEFIELD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 198, 20 August 1872, Page 2

MEETING AT WAKEFIELD.

A well-attended meeting of residents in the Wairaea districts was held at the Schoolroom, Lower Wakefield, last night, when the following resolutions, with reference to the Foxhill railway, were unanimously carried. Mr Chattock proposed, and Mr Hooper seconded — That this meeting views with great disappointment the delay that lias taken place in the commencement of the Nelson and Foxhill railway, and the absence of any mention of such proposed railway in the report of the Engineer-in- Chief, although its construction was sanctioned by the General Assembly and promised by the Government. Mr J. Bird moved, and Mr R. Burn seconded — That while fully admitting the importance of many of the lines of railways contracted for and immediately about to be constructed, this meeting is satisfied th&t the Foxhill line, as first section of a railway to render accessible one of the largest and richest goldfields in New Zealand, is a work (looked at from a colonial point of view) second to none iv itrportance, and promises the only means of opening up large tracts of country for both mining and settlement. ; Mr W. Lines moved, aad Mr H. Tunniclipf seconded — That through the absence of any habor on the West Coast easy of accessj Nelson, from its excellent geographical position, is the natural port for the north-western division of the Island. That the cost of constructing a railway from Nelson to Greymouth and Westport would be insignificant compared with the necessary outlay to permanently improve Ihe entrance to either of the West Coast rivers so as materially to reduce the charges now necessary to cover losses arising from sea transhipment and river carriage. And that the population now flocking to the Buller basin will create a traffic sufficient to pay working expenses and interest on such railway. Mr "William Watson moved, and Mr Hoult, senior, seconded — That the representatives of this Province in the General Assembly be requested to wait upon tbe Government with the above -resolutions, and endeavor to obtain from them a distinct pledge that the Nelson and Foxhill railway shall at once be proceeded with. It was then resolved — , j That the Chairman do forward these resolutions to the representative of the district in the House of Representatives, with a request that he, will lay them before the Minister for Public Works.