Thames Valley Railway.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3073, 20 December 1878, Page 2

Thames Valley Railway.

A meeting of the Thames Valley Bailway Committee was held at the Borough Council Chambers this morning, in pursuance of an advertisement signed by William Davies, Chairman of Luncheon Committee. Dr Kilgour was in the chair, and there were also present—The Mayor, County Chairman, Messrs Souter, Greenville, Osborne, Dean, Speight, A. J. Allom, A. Porter, Carpenter, S. Stephenson, A. Hogg, H. Mcllhone, K. T. Douglas, W. Davies, J. Brown, E. W. Hollis, and others, besides a good number of the public.

Mr Davies explained that the meeting was called because at a meeting of the Luncheon Committee yesterday a sudden difficulty had presented itself—that of providing the finances. It was therefore determined to call this meeting, and Bee how the funds were to be provided.

Mr Allom also explained the difficulty, and said it had been reported that the Borough and County Councils would not provide any funds. Mr Brodie, Mr Osborne, Mr Carpenter and others, who spoke on the subject, considered that the public should assist in providing the necessary funds, Messrs Brodie and Carpenter urging that the local bodies should not give their funds. Mr Brown dissented from what had been said by the County Chairman and Cr Carpenter. He believed it was a mistake from the first to put this matter in the bands of the Bailway Committee. It

should have been left to the Borough and County Councils, and the public should contribute through their rates, the richest paying the most.

Mr Porter disagreed with Mr Brown, as many ratepayers would derive no benefit from the railway. (Cries: No, no). He did not think the public bodies should be called upon to pay anything. If the people of Grahamstown had not sufficient pluck and public spirit to provide for the reception of the visitors on such an occasion, then they should not have a railway. There was no necessity for calling that meeting. Mr Speight would like to know what the Luncheon Committee wanted. If it were for the local bodies to provide carriages—to undertake the reception, let them say so.

Mr Allom said they wanted an assurance to that effect.

Mr Brodie thought the public should "ome forward and support the Committee liberally.

Mr Dean said they would get no money out of the public in suhscriptions. Let them pay it out of their rates. Mr Os borne said there was a difficulty in disposing of tickets amongst people in town who could well afford to take them.

The Chairman said it would be remembered that at the first meeting, it was tacitly agreed that the Railway Committee were to undertake the responsibilities of the banquet and turning the first sod, and that the local bodies should provide for the reception of the visitors. The principle of local bodies providing for the entertainment of eminent persons was accepted in every country in the world that be knew, and they were about to entertain a most eminent man. He considered the local bodies could be very well charged with such expenses. Mr Carpenter reviewed the legal aspect, and instanced the case of a corporation in England being obliged to refund expenses incurred in entertaining Gen. Grant. Col. Fraser represented that it was not the ratepayers who did that, but a curmudgeon amongst them. The ratepayers reimbursed the councillors.

Mr John Brown said, to bring the matter to an issue he would say that if the County Council would not pay their ahare of reasonable expenses he would guarantee it—that was, for carriages and other things required for the proper reception and entertainment of their visitors.

Mr Dean said there were many expenses besides the reception. He instanced the silver spade, wheelbarrow, telegrams, entertainment of children, &c, On being put to the vote it was unanimously agreed that the assurance of assistance from the local bodies might be accepted as given. It was then proposed and carried that the order of proceedings be left to the Chairman of Committee. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings.