WAVERLEY.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 388, 4 January 1879, Page 2

WAVERLEY.

(From our 'own Correspondent.) A PUBLIC meeting was held in the Town Hall, on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of urging on the Government the completion of the railway. The Chairman (Mr George Bridge), in opening the meeting and explaining its object, said that as far as he could see there was no pfcspict of another section of the line being let.., {Surveys had certainly gone on, but nothing more. Money had been voted for railway purposes. The proclivities of the Minister for Public Works were well known.

He always liked to send money south if possible, and unless some stir was made in the matter our district stood a chance of being left out in the cold. He had been told in Patea that Waverley had only to thank its love of agitation for the delay in the railway works. Supposing such to be the case, it would be better to wait two years, and have the line through Waverley. 'titan to have it completed at once in another direction. Mr W. Milne thought that the line should go via Kakaramea as being less expensive than via Carlyle. If a line to Carlyle' ever became necessary, it would be easy to have a branch, A line inland would be a great saving in expenditure on the .keeping of the main road, and he thought it was a matter on which the ratepayers should express themselves strongly, Mr Kells disagreed with the Chairman on the point of Mr Macandrew’s southern proclivities. He might be fond of his own district, but he (Mr Kells) was sure that his proclivities were not strong enough to induce him to do any wrong to Waverley or any other place. Mr Kenah objected to the line as a whole being considered by the meeting. The money voted would only be sufficient to complete a small section, and it. was the interest of Waverley to get that section from Waitotara to Waverley done. No doubt Hawcra and other places would try to get what would suit their interests, and he considered they were quite right. We must look out for ourselves.

Proposed by Mr Ken ah. seconded by Mr A. Milne, “ That the Government be memorialised to complete the line of railway .. Waitotara to Waverley, with as little dcla Bfe' possible.” Canned, Mr A. Milne, in seconding the resolution, - agreed that the line should be inland, unless it was so ho did not see how the main road was to be kept up, Mr Kells would not speak against the resolution, as it might be said that having got the line to Waitotara, he was indifferent as to its further course, but ho was still of opinion that it was unwise to dictate to Government. It would be better to leave' the matter in their hands. He had no doubt whatever that the Waitotara-Waverley section of the line would be the one completed. Mr Overend thought that we should look out for ourselves, or no one would look after us. He felt convinced that the present intention was to take the line away from Waverley, but the prompt action of the settlers might yet prevent that intention from being carried out. He believed that under-currents bad been at work to influence Government against bringing the line inland. Messrs A. Howie, J. Dickie. Swinbourn, and others spoke on the subject, and the following resolutions were adopted ; Proposed by Mr McParlane, seconded by Mr Ovcrcnd, " That a deputation be appointed to wait on the Minister for Public Works, on his visit to the District to bring the resolutions adopted at this meeting to his notice, and that a telegram be sent to him inquiring when he will be at Waverley.”

Proposed by Mr W. Milne, seconded by Mr ICeils, “ That in the opinion of this meetinga line of railway from Waitotara to Waverley, as far inland as possible, would be die most advantageous to the district, and would also materially enhance the value of theMomahaki Block.’’ Proposed by Mr Konah, seconded by Mr Swinbourn, “ That copies of rc-olunons 1 and 3 be forwarded to the Government through Mr Bryce and Mr Fox.”, An amendment was proposed by Mr Mason, seconded by Mr Johnston, and carried, •• That resolutions 1 and 3 be forwarded direct to Government.” On the motion of Mr W. Milne, seconded by Mr A. Howie, a resolution was carried to the effect that the advantages of a particular Hne of railway should be pointed out to the Minister for Public Works by the deputation. The following gentlemen were appointed to form the deputation ;— Messrs Kells, Bridge, A. Howie, Swinbourn, Mason, and *VV. Milne.