THE RAILWAY QUESTION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 104, 10 April 1884, Page 2

THE RAILWAY QUESTION.

At the Borough Council meeting on Tuesday evening, the Clerk informed the Board that no report had been received from the Committee appointed to collect data and report upon this matter. The Chairman enquired if any meeting had been held. The Clerk said one had been culled, but no one attended. Mr. Kenny said he came in and waited some time, but no one came. He had looked up all the Acts on the subject, but he could not see anything which would authorise the construction of the proposed railway without a special Act. There were a number of Acts on the subject, and he had gone through them all. Cr. Tucker thought that the Committee should bo authorised to reply to the County Council which met on Thursday, as through some inadvertance he had not received the notice of meeting. He did not see how they could do otherwise than as he proposed. Cr. Kenny thought the matter far too important to be left to a committee. There were three points to be decided.—First, whether they would permit a steam railway through the Borough ; secondly, providing they were in favor of such, whether they had the power to permit it; and, thirdly, whether, if they had the power to grant it, they would have steam or horse motive power, and what street they would have it run through. The last was undoubtedly the most important point and the Council should decide as to which street, providing there was a tram, it should go through. He thought the Council should state definitely to the County Council that they would not permit steam as a motive power. He thought steam might be used to the town boundaries and then horses substituted, He understood that some difficulties would be experienced in working the two together, but nothing but what might be overcome. If the place was large enough it might pay to run a buss through the Borough out to the terminus, but as the population was too small for this it could not be thought of, and the tram would have to come through the town. He thought the whole matter should be discussed by the Council now (hear, hear). In order to raise the question he moved, “ That the Council go into committee and fully discuss the question.” The motion being agreed to, the Council went into committee and Cr. Townley took the chair. The communication from the County Council was then read. Cr. Smith thought that some other route might be selected with greater advantage. He would ask the Engineer’s opinion. The Engineer gave it as his opinion that if a railway was to be constructed it should not be on the roads. He considered the Waikanae was the best line of route, and even then it would have to go over private property, as the streets on that side had not been taken over by the Borough yet. He saw there was a clause in the Public Works Act, which decided that when a railway was taken down any street it immediately ceased to become a public road. Cr. Townley thought the best route was along the Waikanae Road as it would then be entirely away from the main streets, and would not interfere in any way with the traffic. Cr. Lewis said the only question they were asked to decide was to the line of route. He was strongly opposed to any railway coming down the Gladstone, Palmerston, or Childers Roads, and would only agree to steam coming through the town by a private route. He thought the question easily decided, as they only had to say what line of route they preferred. According to the statement of the Engineer, they could not permit a steam railway through any main street, as it would at once cease to be a road. He thought they should at once inform the County Council that they were against steam coming through the town. His Worship thought it advisable to inform the County Council that they had no power to construct a railway without a Special Act. The next question for them to consider was whether they were in favor of permitting a horse tram through the town. It would be advisable to inform the County Council that even if they could get a special Act passed for the purpose the Borough could not allow the rail to run on their main roads. He would move, “ That even presuming that a special Act be passed, authorising a steam railway to go through the streets of the town, that this Council would oppose such railway going along Gladstone Road, or any other public road within the borough, except the main south road.” Cr. Tucker did not think they should exactly, go so far as the motion did. He could not see that they should object to steam providing it was taken through private property. It struck him that they could only make use of the main roads, as if it was taken through private property, the expense would be too enormous. People woold want too much for their property, a circumstance which would prove fatal to this scheme. No doubt the best place would be along to seaward of the Waikanae on the Government road, as it would not interfere with anyone there and great expense would thus be avoided, Cr. Townley—That would dispose of the streets question. Cr. Joyce said the question had been well ventilated. If they allowed the railway on the main road they would have to fence it in, and there would not be any room left for a thoroughfare. But if they had no power to construct a railway through the Borough they need not discuss the matter further. His Worship mentioned that they could use steam and yet call it a tramway. Cr. Brown pointed out the difficulty of working steam and horse power on the same line of rails. Cr. Smith was of opinion that they should definitely decide the question of steam through the streets that night. He would start the ball by proposing, as far as Gladstone Road was concerned “ That no railway be permitted on that road.” (Hear, hear). He had spoken to a number of gentlemen in the town and they were all to a man against it. He would also move “ That even if a special Act was obtained for the purpose, they refuse to allow any railway along the Gladstone road.” This would settle the matter as far as the Gladstone Road was concerned. He had confined his remarks to that street, as others might have different views as to other roads. Cr. Joyce thought it better to include the other two parallel main streets. His Worship also thought they might be included. Cr. Kenny would propose that not only should the two other roads be added, but also the words “except the Wairoa Road.” Cr. Townley did not think they should go so far at present, but should first hear what the County Council had to say. He did not think they should condemn the thing entirely without hearing further from the County Council. Cr. Smith expressed a wish to have his motions put on their own merits, and to leave the other roads out. Cr. Kenny would, under these circumstances, move as an amendment “ That all streets in the Borough be included in the motion.” After several further amendments had been proposed, and much weary discussion, the Mayor’s motion was agreed to. Cr. Kenny said that nature itself pointed out the Waikanae route. But in considering the question, they must look at it not only from a metal point of view. There would be the passenger and goods traffic which would have to be studied. They must also remember that before long it was intendnd to conned this line with the main one, and through to Opoiiki and Rotorua, and it would thus form the main outlet for tourists and others to the Hot Lakes. If the line was to bo of benefit it must come down one of the principal streets, otherwise the metal, etc., would have to be carted. After further discussion, Captain Porter moved, “ That this Council is willing to allow the construction of a tramway along Gladstone Road, providing the motive power be not steam,” and pointed out that unless the Borough agreed to something of this sort they would destroy all chance of the County Council holding out sufficient inducement to contractors to take up the matter. Cr. Joyce thought every possible assistance should be given to the County Council in order to enable them to construct a tram through the town. It was plain that the south main road would be useless, as it would prevent them getting metal on their main |

roads. If a depot was constructed outside the town boundaries the company should be allowed to bring a horse tram through the Borough. Cr. Smith moved as an amendment “ That this Council sees no objection to having a horse tramway through any street in the Borough.” Cr. Lewis should strongly support confining it to Gladstone Road. Cr. Townley pointed out that the County Council had simply asked the Borough Council express their opinion as to the best line of route. It was no good putting themselves entirely in the hands of the County Council. They had the interests of the ratepayers to consider. On the amendment being put it was lost, there being only the proposer and seconder in its favor. His Worship's motion was then put and carried. The Clerk having been instructed to send a copy of the motions, together with explanatory letter to the Count}’ Council, informing them of the desire of the Borough Council to forward the matter in every feasible way the subject dropped.