RAILWAY MEETING AT CARLYLE.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 329, 12 June 1878, Page 2

RAILWAY MEETING AT CARLYLE.

A largely attended meeting of settlers was held in the Carlyle Town Hall on Monday evening, to consider what action should be taken to induce the speedy prosecution of railway works from Wanganui to Taranaki. Mr Samuel Taplin was voted to the chair. Mr Sherwood explained that he had a short time since, received communication from Captain Walkinton, Chairman of Waveiiey Committee, covering memorial for presentation to the Government, urging them to push on with railway, and asking the support of Carlyle settlers. He (Mr S.) had brought the matter before the Carlyle Town Board, and that body had authorized him to convene the meeting. The speaker reminded the audience of the efforts which had been made during the

last few years to get railway connecting this district with the outside world, of its importance locally and to the Colony, and the certainty of its proving a payable line. The district was one of the most magnificent in the Colony, and yet it had not got one mile of railway. The settlers had a reasonable claim, and should press it by all reasonable means. Figures were quoted, proving theimmenseproducing capabilities of the district. Being within the confiscated boundary, the money obtained from sale of land, had been taken away and spent in the South Island, and other parts of the Colony. This question should have been taken up more heartily, when agitated by him three years ago. Had pixnnises' then made by Major Atkinson been kept, a railway would now have been running through the district. If the Government had not had a penny in their coffers, that was no reason for not proceeding with the work, as the unsold land would over and over again have paid the cost of construction. Land had not yet reached its maximum value, but it would have done so had the railway been carried out as promised. The present Government appeared to bemoaning well towards this district. lie was pleased with the stand they had made on the Native question. The policy adopted in regard to the Native question would prove of immense benefit, and 'should be encouraged to proceed. This district would be the most flourishing and prosperous of anyinNewZealand. Beinginfunds,Government had shown intention to proceed with railway works, tenders to Waitotara having been accepted. There was another matter too, on which they appeared to be sound, and that was land administration. It would not be well to press on them too hard. Settlers should not relax their efforts, but should make out a case, by facts and figures, which would carry conviction with it, and impel the Government, in selfinterest, to push ahead with railway works and the opening up of land. Mr S. referring to the County Council proceedings, said he would like to have heard an expression of sympathy on the matter. Regarding delegates, lie wvas of opinion that the district sending delegates should be prepared to pay expenses. Mr Horner said the memorial was worded as if it came only from Waverley. It should include the whole County of Patea. He was strongly in favour of the railway, but would not like to put spurs into the Government now thatthcy were disposed to move ahead. He would like to see a memorial making out a good case. Mr Aitchison agreed with much that fell from previous speakers, but thought the Waverley memorial should be supported, and moved proposition “ That this meeting approves of the memorial to the Government prepared by the Waverley committee, and that Messrs Sherwood, Milroy, and W. Cowernbe appointed a committee to prepare copy of said memorial, and submit it to the public of the Otoia Riding for signature.” The motion was seconded by Mr H. Williamson.

Mr Williams thought a new memorial should be drawn up, and in stronger terms. Government were doubtless aware of the necessity for a railway here but wanted spurring up.

Mr Sherwood thought a letter accompanying the petition would have the same eflhct as a fresh petition and figures could then be given. A long discussion then took place as to whether the Waverley memorial should be adopted or a new one drawn up. Amongst the speakers were Messrs James Lett, H. Williamson, Tregear, Horner, Milroy, A. Hunter, D. Coutls, and others.

An amendment to the proposition moved by Mr Aitchison, was made by Mr Williams, and seconded by Mr James Lett, “ That a committee consisting of Messrs Sherwood, Milroy, W. Cowern, H. Williamson, and I!. Horner, be appointed to draw up a memorial for the Otoia Elding.” Both propositions being put to the vote, and the show' of hands showing a large majority in favour of the amendment it was declared carried. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings.

The following is the memorial of the Waver]ey Riding:—

To the Honourable the Minister for Public Works. The Memorial of the Inhabitants of the Waverley Riding, Comity of Patea, humbly sheweth—

That, 5 our memorialists respectfully urge, that the railway bs made and through communication established by rail between Wanganui and New Plymouth with as little delay as possible. That the proposed line of railway runs through a rich and extensive agricultural country capable of producing many million bushels of grain annually besides other produce. That at present your memorialists are chiefly confined to pastoral pursuits, owing to bad roads, long and expensive land carriage, and consequent impossibility to cultivate for export at a profit to the grower.

That the Patea County Council imposed the maximum rate last year, which, together with the subsidy, arc found inadequate to keep the main line of road in repair, consequent upon the increasing traffic and the scarcity and inferiority of road metal in the district.

That the railway would relieve the expenditure on the main line of road, and enable your memorialists to expend more money in making bye-roads. That largo blocks of Waste Lands of the Crown, some of the richest in the colony, which would be opened up by the railway, would be so increased in value that the increase alone would be nearly (if not quite) sufficient to bear the entire cost of the construction of the line.

That taking into consideration the capabilities of the land, the rapidly increasing population, and the facilities for further settlement that would be developed by railway communication, your memorialists are firmly of opinion that this will be one of the best paying lines in the colony. In conclusion your memorialists urge that the line bo made with as little delay as possible, consistent with the funds at the disposal of the Government.