WE RIVAL ROUTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 346, 27 September 1898, Page 2

WE RIVAL ROUTES.

(BY TELEOKAI'H- -PRESS ASSOCIATION). WELLINGTON, Last Night. A lakgely-attkndkd meeting of Auckland and Taranaki members of both Houses was held this morning to consider the report of a sub-committee on the question of the Stratford and Central routes for the completion of the North Island Main Trunk railway. The subcommittee decided, though not unanimously, iu favour of the Stratford route When the matter came up for consideration this morning it was very fully discussed, and the opinions of the two sides freely stated. The first question put to the meeting was a straight-out vote on the subject of the rival routes. This question had not been raised by the motion, and the Chairman (Sir Maurice O'Rorke) put it to the meeting purely on his own initiative. It was strongly objected to by certain members, who pointed out that no such motion bad been moved, and also that it put many of them in an awkward and unfair position, because while they preferred one route to another, if they did not get the route they wanted they would support the other. The Chairman, however, insisted on putting the motion, whereupon Messrs Brown, Bollard and Masscy refused to vote, and Messrs Lang and Monk voted under protest. On the vote being taken the division resulted as follows : —For Stratford route (11): Holland, Morris, Symes, Lawry, Harris, Jennings, MeGuire, O'Rorke, Crowther, MeGowan, and J). Kelly. For Central route (6) : Lang, Mcnk, McCullough, Hemes, Scotland and Swansou. A division was then taken on the report of the committee iu favour of the Stratford route, as follows : For report (12): Holland, Swanson, MeGowan, Kelly, Morris, Symes, Lawry, Harris, Jennings, McGuiro, Crowther and O'Rorke. Against recommendation of committee 7 : Fang, Massey, Monk, Scotland, Frown, McCullough, and Ilerries. The Hon. Mr McCullough moved a resolution that a deputation direct the attention of the Government to the necessity for completing the 12 miles oF railway to connect the Auckland end of the line with the point of divergence of the two routes. The motion was negatived on the voices, and it was decided that a deputation composed of all in favour of the Stiatford route should wait on the Premier at the earliest opportunity.