RAILWAY MEETING AT HAWERA

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1037, 21 May 1883, Page 2

RAILWAY MEETING AT HAWERA

The meeting convened by the Mayor to urge on the Government the speedy completion of the raihyay line from Hawera south, was (says the Star) attended by about forty persons. The Mayor explained that the meeting was called on resolution of the Council in response to a letter from the Patea Harbor Board. He pointed out that the deputation which waited on the Government from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce was told that the Manawapou contract was to be let ; but he thought we should urge on the Government the desirability of also commencing the line from Hawera to the Manawapou gorge,

so that when the Manawapon contract was finished, this end of the line would be ready. (Hear, hear.) Mr King proposed, “ That (his meeting would urge upon the Government the importance of at once completing the railway line between this and the Manawapon, and would respectfully point out that the work would be greatly expedited by calling for tenders for the next section from the Hawera side.” The action should have been taken months ago, but it was better late than never. It was desirable to push on the line between here and Manawapou, both in the trading interests of Hawera and of those of the colony. He then, by permission, referred to the northern line, saying it was desirable to talk about that matter also. The line, either between Waitnra and Alexandra, or between Stratford and Alexandr?, would be 100 miles ; no doubt the 'shortest distance in which the main line could be connected ; but the Marton or Wanganui line to Alexandra though much longer, had several powerful advocates, including, probably, the Minister for Public Works, and certainly Sir William Fox. It was necessary therefore,' to be on the alert, because if the line went from either Wanganui or Marton it would put this coast quite out of communication with Auckland —by rail, at any rate. Mr Osterling seconded the resolution, and dwelt on the advantages of the line being commenced from Hawera end. - The resolution was agreed to, and it was understood that a copy would also be sent to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. The Mayor said it struck him that it would be advisable to pass a resolution, asking the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, to cooperate in endeavouring to get the Mokau line (hear, hear.) The Wellington merchants were desirous of our trade, but so were the Auckland people, and it would be as well to get their help. They were sure to give their assistance, because if the line went down the centre of the island the West Coast traffic would go to Wellington by way of the Wellington-Manawatu line. He moved that the Auckland Chamber of Commerce be asked to use its best endeavours to co-operate with this coast in procuring the extension of the Waikato railway via Mokau, and be assured of the hearty assistance of the people of this and surrounding districts. Mr Moore Hunter seconded. He considered the question of the utmost importance. He believed the construction of the line to this district would improve the value of land to the extent of £25 for every 100 acres. Wellington is trying to corner the West Coast, but it was to the interest of the people on the coast to see that they should not lose the opportunity of getting two strings to their bow. It was amusing to see the efforts being made to take the line up the Turakina river, through land that had been sold for a few shillings an acre, and would carry but one sheep to the two acres, beyond which land came the pumice country. It was pointed out that there was every reason to rely on the support of Auckland, because last session the Auckland members, in caucus, went into the question, and decided that the Mokau line was preferable. Mr King;said no opposition to Wellington, was intended, but the people here had a line to Wellington, and desired to be placed in communication with the other end of the island. Resolution agreed to. A vote of thanks was accorded to the Mayor on the motion of Mr Osterling, who spoke highly of the efforts of the Mayor to push the district ahead. The meeting then adjourned.