MEETING OF THE RAILWAY COMMITTEE.

Southland Times, Issue 1659, 8 November 1872, Page 2

MEETING OF THE RAILWAY COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Eailway Committee was held in the Council Hall on Tuesday evening. Mr Wood occupied the chair. After the usual preliminary business, the chairman remarked that he was glad to see Mr Calder present, as he could no doubt give the Committee some valuable information regarding the object for which they had met, the construction, namely, of the Wintou-Kingston railway, and matters connected with immigration. They could not expect a political speech from Mr Calder on this occasion. That he would no doubt reserve for a more public opportunity, but they would be glad to hear what Mr. Calder bad to say on the subject in hand. Mr Calder said that the Winton-

Kingston line had been ranked as a main line, and placed on the first schedule of the Public Works and Immigration Act of 1871, that is, among the works with the construction of which the Government was authorised to proceed without farther reference to Parliament; Although thus placed on the first schedule, no actual steps had been taken towards its construction until recently a complete working survey of some twelve miles was made by Mr Brunton. The line and the district were, be believed, regarded favorably both by the present Government and the previous- one. Indeed he had heard only one disparaging opinion expressed regarding it, and that was in private conversation, by a northern member. In the present state of parties in the Assembly, he felt it was more prudent for him to rest content with the position ■ the line had attained, and to act on the general favor in which it was held, than to make any special representation in its favor, which might be looked upon as interested. He had, however, at all times been prepared to defend the interests of the line and the district, thoroughly believing that its position was equal to that of most or any of the projected lines. He had formed one of a deputation who waited on Mr Stafford on the subject, which resulted in a promise that a definite number of miles of the line should be constructed at once, a promise which was verified when the Public Works Statement of the Stafford Ministry was made in the House. The present Government, in their Public Works Statement, refused _to pledge themselves to the construction of any particular line ; but stated that they would confine themselves in the first instance to the construction of lines which were likely to pay working expenses. On this ground, he had no fear of the speedy starting of the" line, as he thought the Government had greater • justification for going on with it than with half the lines on the present schedule. He did not think there was any ground for the supposed antagonism between the Winton-Kingston line and the Lawrence railway. The Lawrtnce line was supported by nearly all the members for the original Province of Otago, as amply justified by the require* ments of the district, and personally he agreed in that view. He was happy to say that the member for Tuapeka had always been ready to co-operate with him in regard to the Southland lines, and so had others interested in the Tuapeka district. He thought it would be well to appoint a sub committee to cdllect statistics of the traffic which might be expected on the line, the amount of available land which would be opened up, and the facilities of construction afforded by the nature of the country, and to forward the information so obtained to the Government. On the motion of Mr Blackwood, seconded by Mr Mitchell, the following gentlemen "were appointed a sub-com-mittee to carry out this object : — Messrs Wood, Mitchell, M'Arthur, Lumsden, Calder, and Blackwood. Mr Blackwood then moved, " That the Provincial Government be urged to send to this district fifty immigrants, consisting of about equal proportions of farm laborers and domestic servants." He said that they could not have too many immigrants — any, he thought, were better than none — and that he believed the Provincial Government would spare some if application were made to them. If they were to depend on getting immigrants from home, they would have to wait some time, and he thought immediate steps should be- taken. Seconded by Mr M'Arthur. Mr Lumsden moved as an amendment, "That the Provincial Government bo urged to send periodical instalments of farm laborers and domestic servants, pending direct shipments of immigrants to the Bluff, a supply of ploughmen and domestic servants being at present urgently needed. ' He was not so sure they could secure the best class of immigrants from Dunedin ; possibly they might find themselves supplied with the dregs, as Dunedin was quite capable of taking care of itself, but as~Mr Blackwood seemed desirous of pressing his motion, he would move the amendment, which was more definite and comprehensive in its terms. Mr Dalgliesh seconded Mr Lumsden 's amendment. Mr Matthews said he had always understood that a bad article was dear at any price, and thought that quality was of more importance than quantity. He would prefer to see direct shipments, but in the meantime would support Mr Lumsden's amendment. The amendment was carried, and the proceedings terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman.