OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY BILL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 285, 28 July 1888, Page 6

OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY BILL.

DrM^Drx, July 25. A I'unLic meeting was hold at the Choral Hall last evening to consider Mr P vice's Central Railway Bill, and was largely attended. An unexpectedly animated debate which resulted was mainly owing to the piesence of Sir Robert Stout. Most people apprehended as much diicctly Sir Robert entered, and as Mr Donald Reid and others strongly on the other hide were seen to be present, some vigorous oiatory was at once prophesied Pioceedings weie opened by Mr A. Cathgate, who moved a resolution in cordial support ol the Bill. Mr C. S, Reeves seconded, and then came Sir Robert Stout, who mounted the platform amid cheering, and who, although he was subjected to lopeated interruptions, spoke svith force and energy and probably carried a good many votes to his side. His argument adirmed that the railway should be constructed by Go\crnmentwithoutinberventionof any byndicateorcompany. Mr llutchisonseconded this in a dry, satirical speech, then Mr Donald Reid delivered a warm lejoinder to Sir R, Stout, in the course of which there wero several small palaces at-anns between the two. By the time this was done the audience tclt that the best was over, and showed little disposition to listen to fuifcher speeches. Mr E. B. Caigill, however, got a patient hearing foi an animated speech in, -which he tried to recon cile the motion and amendment, lie made an earnest appeal to Sir Robert Stout not to de&tioy the unanimity of the meeting, which appeared, however, altogether in \am, and at length his speaking tired a great many of the audience, who left befoie the vote was taken. A sbowofhandswasunmistake.ibly in fa\ourof the lcsolution, and the chaninan declared it carried. Sir Robeit Stout objected, demanding :i division, and while the point was being argued, the meeting dis persed.