CATLINS-TAHAKOPA RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 14

CATLINS-TAHAKOPA RAILWAY LEAGUE.

A special meeting of the Catlins-Taha-kopa Railway League, held at the offices of D. M. Fea." and Co., Rattray street, on the 18th inst., was attended by • Messrs T. Mackenzie, A. S. Malcolm, T. K. Sidey, J F. Arnold, and A. R. Barclay, M.PVs, G. Fcnwick, W. Taylor, W. B. M. Fea, W. F. Edmond, H. P. Moss, W. J. Bolt, and J. B. Waters (secretary). Apologies were received for the absence of Messrs Eattray, R. ChisAolm (chairman), «nd U. M. Fea. Mr G. Fenwiok was voted to the chair. The Secretary reported that he Jiad written and forwarded resolutions passed at the last monthly meeting to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works, but replies had not yet been The only correspondence received was a letter from Mr G. Gwynne, Houipapa, who stated that he would be able to meet a deputation of the league when an official visit was paid to the district. The Chairman said he did not think much would come of the proposal to have 200 men put on the lino. There had been a definite promise to have 150 men put on, and since that promise was given there had been a considerable number of extra men put on. He believed the department wao really doing- its best in the matter of getting men, and he did not suppose that more could have been -done under the circumstances. Mr Edmond : The demand for harvest hands is probably restricting the number available for railway works. FROJKCTJRD VISIT TO CATKINS. Mr T. Mackenzie reported that he had recently gone over portion of the line, and he was sorry to say that things were moving exceedingly slowly. It was nearly 12 yea.rs -since the line was started from O.vaka, and it would be some months [ before it was opened to Houipapa. In regard to the proposed visit of inspection by members of the league and others, ; the idea, of the settlers was that the deputation should be met at Catlins, and although the line from Gartlins to 'Houipapa -was not completely ballasted, the railway people thought arrangements «ould be made to take the -deputation over the line, 'ffhe Houipapa. people and the Tahakopa people had a for the 'occasion. Mr C. G.~ Martin, Tahakapa, writing on the 10th irtst.. stated that a satisfactory '.meeting had been Jield "at ■his end, at 'Atfhich it was decided to drive members ot the league to Tahakopa 'on any <darte '-that -might be arranged, providing ja -good simple repast at Kahuika. Arrangements would be nrnde for a social gathering "at 'the «gchool. The plan proposed was to drive -the ,party (from. Houipapa up to the Table Hill Saddle, to wheise ±he [present eirtension was .going, pointing out the route leading up from Catlins and down to the JM'tLennan River. Any member desiring it would be cc.aducteJ 'by a short route of two -miles through splendid forest to the M'Lennan River. If members of tie league had' a day or two to spare they would '.be driven next day down the road to rfche north of tho M'Lennan River, taking boat there, and, if desired, viewing the proposed Bite of the bridge, and continuing either bu road or river up the valley where at night they would be billeted among the Rimu settlers, returning next day to "the train. The writer stated that roads were goodl and the weather excellent. Mr J. Gwynne also wrote giving the Houipapa .programm'o for reception and a look over that part of the district. He {Mr Mackenzie) thought that the bast plan to follow would be to go to Houipapa, spend a little time there in looking round, and then go round to Tahakopa VaMey. He suggested that the members should take Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and if possible the following Monday, in looking over the district. He reported that when he visited the district the settlers were in good heart, although they complained of the slow progress -of the line. " He was pleased to know that principally owing to the action of tho league the railway now occupied the first position among Otago lines. Fifty more men had been sent down to the "works as a result of the league's last meeting. He concluded by moving that the league, or as many members thereof as could make it convenient, together with representative people, should visit the district on Thursday, March 12 next. Mr Moss seconded the motion, wheh was carried unanimously, and it was resolved to send a. copy to Messrs Gwynne and Martin. „, ,T, T i In reply to the chairman, Mr Mackenzie said the guttlers were already deriving some benefit from the railway line. Some of them were able to sell posts, and a number were selling their rights to timber. Mr Malcolm, M.P., referred to a suggestion that efforts should be made to havo the line opened to Houipapa, and said if, had been pointed out to him- that in the meantime it was better for the settlers to have the line as it was, as, although the line was not ballasted, their goods and 1 e'vtn themselves were carried over from Houipapa, etc., to Catlins at a moderate, charge The ballasting quarry was also on the section mentioned, and this also would perhaps make it undesirable to open the section just at present. The Minister of Public Works had promised him that the money allocated would be *pent on the line, and that promise had been fairly well kept. It was decided that -the arrangements for the proposed visit to the district be left in the hands of Mr Mackenzie and the secretary, and a sum of £5 was authorised to be expended from the funds for expenses. The meeting concluded with a. vote of thanks to the chairman. am<J also -fco ilr Maekrnzie for the great interest lie had taken in the matter and for arranging the trip. The Chairman and Mr J. F. Arnold expressed doubt as to their being present at the visit, as they would be probably absent in the North Island at the time.

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