PROPOSED WELLINGTON AND WEST COAST RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5419, 9 August 1878, Page 2

PROPOSED WELLINGTON AND WEST COAST RAILWAY.

rnBLIC MEETING. A meeting convened by circular, signed by Mr. Travers, was held yesterday, of persons interested in the formation of a line of railway from Wellington by way of the West Coast to join the Foxton and Wanganui line. About 40 persons were present. Mr. Wabing Tayloe occupied the chair, and called on Mr. Travers to explain the object for which the meeting had been called. Mr. TkAvEks said that he had called the present meeting by circular. He had taken a very great interest in the proposed construction of a railway line from Wellington to Palmerston North through the Porirua district ; and as Parliament was now in session, he had lost no time in calling the meeting together. He was sorry to see so poor an attendance, as he had sent 60 or more circulars to the principal merchants and other residents of Wellington, with a view of hearing those gentlemen express their views iu regard to the proposed line of railway. When he was a member of the Assembly last year, he took great notice of the District “Railways Bill, and he was confident iu his own mind that the proposed line (the .merits of which they had met to discuss) could never belormed under that Act. The difficulties which were involved under that Act were very great, and in his own mind he felt assured that there was not the slightest hope of the proposed line being formed under it. He therefore dismissed from his own mind any idea of bringing it under the Act. Prom his own knowledge he was sure the Government were fully alive to the necessity of the work being earned out, but they had not the money to do it with, so that his (Mr. Travers’) opinion was that there was no likelihood of it being done by the Government. He therefore considered that tho only alternative left was to have this i ailway carried out by a private company to be formed iu England, power being given to the Government of the colony to purchase on reasonable terms. Some time ago there was a proposal made to the Government for the construction of railway lines throughout the colony by Messrs. Brogden. He thought that a company might, bo formed iu London to carry out the proposed work, with a capital of £500,000, to be increased if necessary; a proportion of the shares being reserved for issue in the colony, on application within one year from the formation of the company. A provisional committee could be formed in Wellington, who would undertake tho necessary preliminary surveys and estimates. He thought an Act .might be passed by the As-, aombly giving power to tho Government to enter into an arrangement and to provide the necessary powers for tho proper and efficient construction and working of tho line, and also to confer upon the Government, authority to acquire land, &c., for the purposes of the work, and to oxeroise such powers from time to time at tho request of the company. The extreme cost of tho railway, he thought, would be at the rate of £BOOO a mile, including rolL ing stock. Interest at £6 10a. per centum per annum to bo computed ou monthly outlay until the opening of the line, but not boyond the date fixed for completion, such interest to ceaso as regards any part actually opened for traffic. He believed that if such conditions were carried out a company could be formed at onco. Ho had been iu communication with several persons, one of whom was Messrs. Brogdens’ agent, and there appeared not the slightest difficulty in forming a company in England. It would be unreasonable to suppose that a company could bo formed in New Zealand able to fiud sufficient funds for carryin" out such a scheme. He thought the opening of this line was almost a work of necessity to the colony. It would open up a large area of fertile country for settlement. He had I’eason to believe that the natives owning land along the proposed route would offer no objection, but on the contrary were prepared to deal most liberally in tho matter, and give every assistance towards the carrying out of the proposed work. There might probably bo considerable difference of opinion as to which was tho best direction that this line should take, but he considered this was a question for tho engineers to decide. There was known to bo ono practicable line from Hayward’s station, on the Hntt line of railway, over to Pahautanui. The distance would not bo more than eight or nine miles between those two places. Mr. Travers then referred to a survey which had been made by Mr. Climie of another route, which was eighteen miles longer. Ho next spoke as to the probability of a double line of rails beiug required ou the Hutt line, but he thought that could very well bo arranged at a future time if found necessary. He was confident that a single line of rails would be quite sufficient fora considerable number of years. As to the question of traffic returns ho thought that was also a matter for consideration after the company had been formed. It might be found necessary to have further surveys of both routes, but In's own impression was they should fix on tho one that could bo made the cheapest.' Mr Travers thou referred to tho harbor of Porirua. He said when this line was first mooted in the House lie did not make any paroular remarks upon it, but he was satisfied that if tho line were constructed as far as Porirua, it would be a groat advantage to persons living on tho West Coast and Wanganui. Ho had little doubt but that the whole of the timber and produce from Pelorus Sound and Wanganui would come to Wellington by rail, and be brought at a cheaper rate. He then read the following resolution: —That this meeting having heard the proposals and information of Mr. Travers, and having, fully diacussed the came, is of opinion that the early construction o£ tho proposed’ work in of very giVat Imitott&nlfn t'o tire proViiKi»l district of

Wellington, inasmuch especially as without railway communication the extensive and valuable tract of country to the southward of the Manawata River must remain unproductive. That it is expedient, in view of the fact that the Government are not likely to be for some considerable time in a position to undertake the proposed work, that a company should be formed, with adequate capital for the purpose, as nearly as may be upon the basis laid oefore this meeting by Mr. Travers, and that a committee consisting of the following gentlemen, namely, Messrs. Dransfield, Walter Johnston, Randall Johnson, Krull, Levin, Mills, Pearce, and Travers, with power to add to their number, three to be a quorum, be appointed to confer with the Government with a view of obtaining the necessary legislative sanction to the work as proposed, and to the carrying out in other respects of the proposal for the construction of the same. Mr. Brandon thought before any resolution was passed it would be better to appoint a committee to wait upon the Government, and then call another meeting. Mr. Wallace considered that the West Coast had been left out in the cold. He thoucht the thanks of the meeting were due to Mr. Travers for the trouble he had taken. In answer to Mr. Nathan, Mr. Travers said he believed the members of the Government were very favorably disposed to the formation of the line. Mr. Pearce said he did not wish to oppose Mr. Travers’ project, but he ventured an opinion that if it were’earried out it might interfere with the railway from Masterton to the Forty-Mile Bush. Mr. Watt (of Wanganui) said he thought that the meeting was very much indebted to Mr. Travers for the pains he had taken in connection with the matter. He (Mr. Watt) was quite sure that the whole thing was practicable. As regarded the land belonging to the natives there would, he apprehended, be no difficulty if a company was formed. The Hon. Mr. Bucelev thought a deputation should be appointed to wait on the Government. Mr. GILLON was of opinion that this was a matter which affected the whole colony. He did not look upon it as a provincial matter. After some other conversation, Mr. Gillon moved as an amendment to the resolution which had been read, —That this meeting recognises the great colonial importance of connecting Wellington with the West Coast system of railways by a direct route, and that a committee be appointed to consider the best means of accomplishing this object. The committee to report in a fortnight, and to consist of Messrs. Dransfield, Walter Johnston, Randall Johnson, Krull, Levin, Mills, Pearce, Travers, Fitzherbert, Wallace, Buckley, J, S» Thompson, Nathan, and Tringham. Mr. Travers then withdrew the motion which he had read, and allowed Mr. Gillon’s amendment to stand as a substantive motion. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.