RAILWAY MEETING.

Southland Times, Issue 1649, 18 October 1872, Page 3

RAILWAY MEETING.

A public meeting was held in the Council Hall on Wednesday evenine, to receive the report of the Kail way Com roittee, and consider other matters affecting the interests of the district, especially in connection with railway construction and immigration. There was a good attendance of citizens and residents in the neighborhood, and great interest was evinced in the proceedings. His Worship the Mayor having read the requisition in accordance with which the meeting had been called, was unanimously voted to the chair. The Chairman then stated that during the past twelve months the Eailway Committee, of which he had been a mem _ ber ? and which had been appointed at a "public meeting on the 10th of October last year, to watch over the interests of the district in matters connected with railways and immigration, had not neglected their duty. They had been in communication from time to time with the authorities both of the Provincial and General Governments, and had neglected no means which seemed likely to forward the interests confided to their care. One gratifying fact he was able to announce, that although their operations had not been conducted without expense, every liability incurred bad been discharged from funds collected by private subscriptions, and they came before the public that night simply to render an account of what had been done, but without any necessity for making a call upon their sympathy for pecuniary assistance. As much work still remained to be done, he thought it was probable that the meeting would see it advisable to appoint a fresh committee of a similar kind, to look after the interests of the district for a further period ; but in the meantime he would call on the secretary, IVI r Scandrett, to read the report. Mr read the report as follows : — The Rnilway Committee were appointed at a pubiic meeting, held on the 10th October of last year, to \ra*ch the interests of the district in connection with the Public Works and Immigration Bchnr.e, but more particularly to promote the early construction of the Tnvercarcill and Mataura Railway, and the Winton-Kingston extension. The Committee report that 28 meetings ha^e been held, and they have corresponded frequently with the Minister of PuVh'o Works and His Honor the Superintendent, whilst a number of the members of the Assembly have been informed of the advantage the railway would bo in proriding communication and cheap transit to the extensile and important country proposed to be opened up, as well ss of other matters affecting the interests of tho district. The 'contract for the Mntaura Eailway has been taken,' and the works are now in progress, and the Committee hope that this early co-n---ircencement of the work — the surveys being in hand only this time last year — is evidence* of the fact that the Government are fully aware of the reproductive nafura of f his> line, and the On;nim'tee, in cot)2r««ulating you on th«»se works bei'-g now i*i progress, and relying on the best autibority, feel in a posirion to state that the eeoiinn to Woodlands will be available for traffic previous to the ensuing winter, and that trie whole line will be completed at a comparatively early date. The subject of Imtni-rrntinrt has been hpfore the Committee, and interview? have t>Vkn\ plaop vrith His Horor the SupprinJ-end^nV and MY Pear'on, the ImiriisratJon Ag^nt to the General Government, with reference to divert shipments to the Bluff, and for pron«ion for the reepptbn ! 'of immigrants on arrival Tt is believed Ihn* the representations made by the Committee have materially contributed to secure the accomplishment of these desirable o'jpets. The Winton and Kingston line, although in the first schedule of the Act, has not yet bnen commenced, and it behoves those interested in this extension to allow no exertion to be spared to secure its early commencement and ultimate completion. The Committee, having held office for f.wehe months, feel it their duty now to resign the trust j reposed in them by the public during that time, and have pleasure in stating that all expenses have been roet by subscription. They consider, however, that this meeting should appoint a i number of citizens to continue to watch ovar the interests of the district in connection with rail* ways and immigration, and more especially to take active steps in securing the immediate construction of the Winton and Kingston line. Mr M'Ewan, before the report was adopted, wished to supplement the information which it contained, by stating that since the report had been drawn up, the Committee had taken further action to promote the objects for which thej were appointed. On Friday last, the Railway Committee became aware that Messrs Brogden expected a number of immigrants by the Bebington, and were willing to send a certain number to In- | vercargill,but that it was not likely that they would be advised to do bo, as the accommodation for their reception was understood to be inadequate. Some members of the Committee accordingly waited on the local representatives of that firm," and on undertaking to make the requisite arrangements, received a promise that the immigrants would be forwarded. Mr Pearson, at their request, had the barracks put in order, and Messrs Cochraa and Blackwood gave the use of their store in Deveron-street, a roomy building with a fireplace. Thirty single men, and seventeen married couples, ■with their families, in aIJ about one hundred souls, would thus be added to the population of tbe place in a few days, by tbe exertions of the Committee. Mr John W. Mitchell proposed the adoption of the report. Not being a member of the Committee he was able to express an impartial opinion of the energy and indefatigable industry displayed by the Committee in the discharge of their useful duties, which had been attested by the great criterion, success. The Mataura railway was now contracted for, and in progress, and io this satisfactory result there was no doubt their exertions had greatly contributed. There was still another part of the programme to be completed, the construction of the Winton railway, of equaHmportance to the community, and to that he would refer at a later stage of the meeting. Mr Matthews seconded the adoption of the report. As a resident in Invercargill of somewhat recent date, he had pleasure in observing the evidence of political vitality afforded by the report which had been read, and the aspect of the present meeting. Elsewhere he

had heard Invercargill characterised as being rather slow, but he was satisfied that that impression was a mist;il;pn one, and certainly his own observation did not -warrant any such idea. He thought the adoption of the report should be accompanied by an expression of the thanks of the community to the Committee, to which they were well entitled. The report was then adopted unanimously. Mr Matthews then proposed that the members of the Railway Committee which had just resigned be re-appuinted a committee to forward the construction of the Winton-Kingston Railway. The matter was of the highest importance to the district, and as the members of the late Committee had been tried and had [ not been found wanting, there was every , reason to hope that they would be equally successful in the. new undertaking. Mr Blackwood would bare much pleasure in seconding the motion, if the mover would permit him to add a few names to the list. The question of immigration was also important, and ought not to be neglected. The immigrants about to arrive might want assistance in getting settled in suitable localities or on various public works, and it would be well that the Committee shouH attend to such mattt-rs. They might also want a little credit from the storekeepers in the first instance, and in such matters the Committee might render them material service. He would therefore, with Mr Matthews's permission, suggest that the motion be amended as follows : — That tbe Rei'way Committee, with the addition of the names of Messrs W. Craig, J. W. Mitchell, John Shand, Ralph Swale, Thomas M'Wiilium, Robert Cameron, John Thomson, Duncan M'Arthur, W. 9. Trotter, John Howell, David Roche, Richard Matthews, Duncan Carmiehael, IT. Jaegers, and James yhand be appointed a Committee, with power to add to their number, to attend to railway and immigration matters affecting the interests of the district, an 1 to pvomote the construction and exfcensijn of the Wißton-Kingston railway. Mr Matthews having assented^ Mr Shand, Provincial Acting Secretary for Works, said that he cordially agreed with the motion. The interest whicb had been evinced in looking after the advancement of the locality showed that there was some vitality in t'ae place, and promised well for its future. There was no doubt that the past efforts of the Committee had been of great value, and they ought to be continued. Starting with advantages that were not to be found elsewhere, a first class harbor, with any amount of accommodation for ships, foriy miles of railway already working, and abundance of country to open up, the prospects of Southland were certainty good. The question cf constructing a feeder to the Winton line towards the Western district should be considered, and every effort used to concentrate (he traffic on the Bluff Harbor Immigration into Southland had long been stationary, but of late the attention of the General Government had been directed to the subject, and he believed that in future Southland would have its fair Bh'<\r<-\ The Provincial Council devoted £15,000 to this purpose last session, nnd Southland should a!?o have a fair share of thut sum. (Applause) The Committee deserved the thanks of the meeting, and ho hoped the new one would be equally successful. "Mr Mitchell was ,«ure they would all cordially agree with the motion. It was satisfactory to find one of the Otaeo Executive giving his adherence to the motion. Being an outlying district, this was apt to be neglected, but it wis encouraging to have a m?mber of the Executive among them, approving of what they were doing, and urging them to further efforts. They ought to lay aside their differences, and go on as one man to promote this important object. Immigration was the life of a new country. They had an immense territory, untilled, as it came from the Maker's hand, which was never intended to remain in that condition for ever. The food of a nation was its wealth^tind that could not be produced without men to till the ground. For this purpose also, means of transit were needed. Kail ways were cheaper than roads, and one or other they must hare. The WintonTLiugston line ought to be pushed ahead vigorously ; other parties were in the field with rival schemes. The money had been borrowed, and they would have to bear their share of the charges, whether they got the works or not. So long as money was being spent there would be a struggle, and it was incumbent on them to take part in that struggle. That could only be done by organisation. lie trusted they would pursue the matter vigorously, until success crowned their efforts. Mr Lumsden said it was satisfactory to see the amount of public interest taki n in the question. At one time, railways were not so popular ; now they were felt to be the question of the day. They were the only means of opening up the country, and providing for its prosperity. Immigration was the next most important question ; but unless the country were opened up they could not expect to attract population. With easy and rapid communication everywhere, they would soon find numerous visitants, looking around for settlement. The causes which had interrupted the flow of immigration to Southland, might — some of them — be abstruse and inexplicable, but the real cause be believed to be, that the country had not offered those facilities for settlement which other fields for immigration did, Though the land law seemed liberal in comparison with that j on the other side of the Mataura, yet a little enquiry would show that it was not so in reality. It was li kely that the new J Land Bill now before the Assembly would provide far larger inducements to settlement than had hitherto been the case, and give easy terms for the payment of land. . The first class in demand in a new country was the agricultural class. A community that could not produce its own food must, unless in exceptional

circumstances, always remain poor. Immigrants were therefore wanted. Promises had often been made by the Otago (rovernuient that every third ship, and oftener if necessary,' should call at the Bluff. But the proposal was now seen to have been a harmless one. Ships would not call unless they had passengers, and the passengers would not come unless there was some attraction. Then to provide work for immigrants when they did arr've, it was important that the railway proj cts should be pushed on. The VVinton railway, if prosecuted at once, would, in connection with the Mataura line, afford remunerative labor to intending settlers, while they were gaining knowledge of the country and experience, and becoming familiar with those advantages which an early colonist always looked to before finally fixing his home in any district. Mr Shand's suggestions as to the extension oi' the line to the Western district he considered important. There was a coal-field at Mount Beaumont ; the price of coal was rising all over the w )rld ; and the opening out of this deposit would contribute to the wealth of the district. Invercargill was the key to that country ; every line opened up in the district would centre in this town, which vt'as marked out for a future that would astonish some even of those settlers who had grown grey-haired in the place, as well as those who were younger. ITe hoped- the Committee would not relax their efforts ; they could see what other places were doing, with their rival schemes, over impeneti'able ranges, to secure the trade which should naturally come to Invercargill. They must be equally active and energetic with them. Things promised well ; the weather was fine and the wind fair; but they must not relax their vigilance, nor abandon the helm. A show of hands having been taken, the motion was carried unanimously. Mr Lumsden then proposed that, as the objects of the Committee were of great public importance, the Mayor be requested to obtain the use of the Council Hall for their meetings. Mr Mitchell seconded the proposal, which, being carried, the Mayor stated that he had no doubt the requisite permission would be readily granted by the Council. A vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Mr Scandrett for his gratuitous services to the Kailway Committee ; and the meeting terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman.