THAMES AND WAIKATO RAILWAY.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2869, 26 April 1878, Page 2

THAMES AND WAIKATO RAILWAY.

Telegraphic Conference.

The members of the Borough and County Councils, Parawai Board and Harbor Board met at the Borough Council Chambers to-day for the purpose of holding a telegraphic conference with the Borough Council of Hamilton, County Councils of Hamilton and PiaH, and Highway Boards of Cambridge, Waitoa, and Ngaruawhia re the proposed Thames and Waikato Railway, and deciding what steps should be taken for inducing the Government to introduce a bill next session to enable a company to construct the railway. There were present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Messrs Ehrenfried, Bagnall, Renshaw, Howe, W. Davies, Mennie, Hume, and Hogg. The Mayor read the following telegram which had been sent to all the local bodies in the Waikato district :—

" That Government is willing to introduce a Bill next session to enable a company to construct rulway between Thames Waikato, although unable at present to indicated provisions of Bill. Please be prepared to-morrow with suggestions for Ministers, First of all as to termini at Thames and Waikato; 2nd, as to extent and duration of Government guarantee; 3rd, as to rating native lands; 4th, c? to what distance from the railway line should the rating cease; sth, should rating be uniform within rating district; 6th, what period should company retain posses- [ sion ? " He also read the following telegram:— "Hamilton, April 25th.—F. C. Dean, Town Clerk, Grahamstown.—-Arranged meet at Council Chambers* Hamilton, at 11 a.m. on Friday; for Cambridge, Newcastle, Hamilton Highway, Hamilton Borough, Waikato County, Waipa County, and Waitoa Boards or representatives Ngaruawhia Board meets at Ngaluawhia and telegraph to Hamilton.—J. R. Viaiotx, Mayor." The Mayor said it was for them now to give their opinions on the various items in the first telegram read. ■ . Mr Mennie moved and Mr Hogg seconded that the terminus be within the Borough of Thames. Carried. A telegram to this effect was sent to the other bodies.

With reference to the second matter— extent of the Government guarantee— the Mayor said that this had been one of the greatest paints. The Government guarantee, according to the Railway Bill, was only 2 per cent, which the local he lies did not consider enough, considering the great amount of natire land through which the line would go, and that land could not be rated. He suggested that they should ask the Government for 5 per Cent out cf the 7 per cent, that required to be guaranteed. Mr Hogg and Mr Benshaw thought that 4 cent, would be enough to ask for; The Mayor said that the Government would recoup themselves by rating native land. He thought they should ask for 5 per cent. Mr Mennie said that they did not think that the whole of the guarantee would be required, as the railway would pay some of it itself.

Mr Hume proposed, and Mr Benthaw sccondeJ, that this meeting consider that the Goveidment guarentee amount to 5 per cent. This was carried, and "ie

motion was communicated to the other Councils.

The next point " What time would the guarantee extend to P " was considered. The Mayor said that according to the Act the railway would belong to the company for ever. It was resolved that the Government guarantee extend to 15 years. Mr Eenshaw moved that Native lands being benefited by the railway should contribute to the guarantee.

This was seconded by Mr Hume. The Major said that it had been slated to him at Auckland that the Government intended next session to introduce a bill to make the Natives pay rates. He confessed that he h%d been surprised. - Mr Bagnall thought it would be better to leave that out as it would create a native difficulty. The natives would not be rated.

Mr Hume said that the natives wished to be rated.

After considerable discussion there was added to the resolution—"That if the Government think that it can be done without. interfering with the friendly relations between the natives and the Europeans, that it be done." Messrs Bagnall, Ehrenfried, and Howe thought that all mention of the rating of native land, should be left out. as it would stir up unseen native difficulties. Mr Rowe moved that this portion of the Conference consider that the question of rating native lauds be left in abeyance. Mr Bagnali seconded. This was carried, Mr Renshaw's motion being withdrawn. The resolution was telegraphed. The next p-int—what distance from the railway line should the land be rated P— was then considered.

Mr Ehrenfricd suggested that 6 miles from erch side of the line would be en tugh. Cr Renehaw said he thought that land within one mile of the line should be rated a certain sum; land three miles from the railway, half that amount; and land six miles, one-sixth of the sum paid for land within one mile of the line.

Cr Bagnall suggested that the position of stations should be taken as a basil for the taxing of the land. People were not so much benefitted by the line going through their land as by their nearness to the stations.

The Mayor thought that the rating should cease ten miles from each side of the line. •'■

A resolution to thai effect was then carried, an amendment in favor of it ceasing seren miles from the line being lost. The resolution was telegraphed. The next question was, shall rating lie uniform within railway districts P The Mayor suggested special valuation in accordance with the amount of benefits received. ,

Cr Benshaw moved, "That this portion of the conference suggest that the rating be special in accordance with benefits received and proximity to stations and line."

The next point, considered was what period should the company retain posses* sion of railway. The Mayor said he thought that seven years prescribed by the Act was not long enough, and the capitalists did not like it at a'l. He thought it should be extended to 21 years, that was, the Government should have the power to purchase it after that period. Cr Benshaw moved that the Government have- power to purchase after 15 years, and that it revert to the Government in 50 years. Cr Bagnail thought that it should belong to the company in perpetuity, as if it did not the interest would bo larger.

Mr Mennie moved an amendment to the effect that the company retain possession for 60 years, the Government to have the right to purchase after 21 years, and fix a tariff for one train per day. After further discussion the time for the railway to revert to the Government was fixed at 21 years. The Town Clerk was instructed to telegraph and see if any of the other bodies had any suggestions to in* Ire, and the following telegram was received from the Newcastle Road Board :—

"Newcastle, April 26th.—James Kilgour, Esq., Mayor, Grahamstown. —As this will be a private company's line, care should be takea to secure running power over the Government;line. Great inconvenience is felt here in consequence of disagreements between the W.8.N.C0. and the Government. Goods cannot be booked through, as was formerly the case. The same might occur with a private railway line.—Thos. Wilson, Chairman N.D.8."

A telegram was sent acknowledging the necessity of the suggestion. At this point it was found that as the time for usiug the wires had elapsed the Conference would have to cease.

The following answers wera received— Be extend and duration of Government guarantee:— " Hamilton, April 26.—The Mayor and of Borough Council, Grabainsiown.— Twenty-one years duration of guarantee. Seeing we are unable to tax Government or Native lands increase guarantee to five per cent.—l. R; Vutotr, Mayor." "Newcastle, April 26.— F. 0. Dean, Esq., Town Clerk, Grahamstown.—Agree to guarantee, as you recommend, and also rating Native lands to be deferred.—T. Wilson, Chairman Newcastle D.8.; Gbo. Edgcumbb, Chairman Town of Nga. D.8."

Re Termini of Railway:—

"Newcastle, April 26th.-James Kilgour, Mayor. — Terminus ia Waikato should be at Hamilton Station on Auck-land-Ohaupo railway.—Thomas Wimon, Chairman Newcastle D.8.; Geo. Edocumbb, Chairman Town of Ngaruawahia D.8." "Hamilton, April 26th.—The Mayor of Thames, Grahamstown.—Terminui at Thames as near Grahamstown as consistent with economy; at Hamilton to connect with the main trunk line, branch line to Cambridge to be included in scheme. Counties to be taxed in proporto the cost of railway actually passing through them.—l. B. vialou, Mayor." Be distance from railway line, at which rating powers cease :— "Newcastle, April 26th—P. C. Dean, Town Clerk, Grahamstown.—Ten miles' limit agreed to.—Thos. Wiison, Chairman Newcastle D.8..; G. Edqcumbe, Chairman Town of Nga. D.8." "Hamilton, April 26th.—The Mayor and Borough Council, Grahamstown.— Not more tban ten miles on each side of the railway to be rated on a valuation basis, proximity to station to be considered.—l. B. Vialou, Mayor." '•Hamilton, April 26th.—The Mayor Borough Council, Grahac stowu.—lt ia

understood in what ujimner adjacent privale lands will be lated, but how do you propose to obtain a fair contribution from Boroughs':—l. it- YiAiiOU." Bo uniformity of rating withia railway district. 1!: —

"Newcastle, April 26th.—F. 0. Deau, Esq., Town Clerk, Grahanwtown. — Wo see no great objection at present to a uniform rate under conditions mentioned, but before giving a decided opinion would like to consult members of the Boards, which we have not been able to do, as questions were.only received late last night.—T. Whson, Chairman Newcastle D.8.; G. Edgcumbk, Chairmen Town Nga. D.8."

Be period of time which company should retain possession :—

11 Hamilton, April 26th—Mayor and Borough Council, Grahamstown.—Company to retain possession for twenty-one years, at which time Government should have power to purchase. Conference adjourned for an hour.-I. R. Vialou, Mayor."