STRATFORD-KAWAKAWA RAILWAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 56, 27 March 1901, Page 2

STRATFORD-KAWAKAWA RAILWAY.

PUBLIC MEETING AT MEW PLYMOUTH A pufclio meeting was held in the Council Chambers, New Plymouth, last evening, in connection with the turnip" the first sod ©ft he Stratford • Kawakawa railway line at Stratford on Thursday. Owing to the numerous lodge and othir meetings being beld the attendance w«s small. The Mayor, who occupied the chair, said he had oiled the meeting to consider one of the most important events in the history of Tarauaki—the turning the first sod of the Stratford-Kawakawa railway on Thursday at Stratford by the Minister for Public Works. The event was so important that be felt it right to call a mooting of c tizens to give the event all tho. eckt passible. The importance of the growing trade of the Stratford district to the port of New Plymouth was very great. Further than that, if this lina proved a success this would not ba the only light line constructed, aud they might expect to boo it followed by a lino to Opunake, and the lino Mr, E. M. Smith was so anxious to ste built. He had thought thoy should go for a special train, but the Stratford people had already provided for that, and it only r.:mained for thrm to go to Stratford ia as hrge numbers as presibe, and do nil in their power to make'the affair as tucoe r sful as possible. He had received a telegram from the Mayor of Stratford inciting him and the citizens of Now

Plymouth to attend, and he hoped bs many as could would do s\ Mr. Smart, a member of the Stratford Borough Council, was present, and would no doubS *eli them what wa.< proposed. Mr. Smurt then stated that it was piopope'3 to have a piblic luncheon at 1 o'clock; tha first Bod was to b • turn: d .-it 2, and a banquet to be held afterwards. A committee had been appointed to attend to the comfort of visitors, especially ladks, who would 03 en'ertaiced, Aa the Mayor h»d| pointed out. tr-e matter was of great] importance to New Plymouth, as the ] Stratford people looked to N< w Plymouth as their port,, as; indeed it was their interest to do so, as they were all harbour ratepayers. He hoped the attendance on Thursday wonld be Bach as to show the Government that the whole people of TaraKaki looked upon ths sorting of this line as of importance ' to the wuole proving, Considerable discussion ensued as to the best way of assisting the matter, those taking part being Messrs. Berry, Oourtoay, Skinnar, Ford, J. H. Parker, Bellringor, E. M. Smith, and others, the outcome of tre discussion being the following resolutions, which were carried unanimously; Proposed by Mr. Skißner, seconded by Mr. Ford, " That the hparty congratulations of the peoplo of New Plymouth and surrounding district be sent to the oitizens of Stratford ©n the aus-

picious occasion o? the turning of the sod of the Jt'ail way, and that His Woi'sbip the Miyoi', ba requested to convey the same to Stratford." Proposed by Mr Berry and seconded by Mr J. H, Parker that this meeting respectfully requests as many of tho eitizeSs of New Vljrnouth as conveniently cm to attend at Stwtfoid on Thursday »nd assht in the <oromony of turning the first sod of the Stratford*

itYv-tkawa v:..'iv.'ay ;v •":<'■ i\.rt'n i £ .■" KMi'i p.smu'M ro/.v. \o ;V •rr-% ' No-y Pi} unn-.t-'i :v-: ■/■■ tl'-i <:' tratford. 'o f .'(/.rt Mr .R'vkor wi<} hj« ''."d ■".'• '- tiit. people o c >"cv Piytn,)-'('',.:, .r'lis.d tko ini!.or.»ccc ''' ti v i! •:•.)o:i'i t ren\ It wn." of gv ( is,t 'iiomcut to i'w \ \ ut'.'.rc di.velopwent ofjjii'i porf, 'vl ; .'':ij ,-ou'''i ha hopnd »!rr.w l-> ;< : ?iil $V'( rmU l fd the greet ciistj-ict: jok'n 'he li-:o woi.'-i; run. 'S'horo Ivid ioivi tf''.> Miuub. iso)a'yiin> b'-.tween Vo<v 'lvuifi'ith *H<l Si;,atror.' if.t <"'.'o itid lie hoped tho reunion on this omiiion v.'oub l b»"'p ?a 'eniovf i". As re-> »:ir.''i th» Mut.htv."u vnci of tbo pr''V'ij''<i. ■ .'area, was closer to Now Piymouri. j a.m to Vvcllington, and whvii we n-.u'. ' Hi ett st«.a,mers tradiag Lera as sugjested by Mr. Courtnay ho hoped co ,a« a large trade fpriiig up betwosJ l . ihe two places. The u*u«l vote of thanks to the shair terminated tho meeting which though fima'l was very hearty and an nimoHS,