WELLINGTON HUTT AND WAIRARAPA RAILWAY.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume II, Issue 59, 15 February 1868, Page 3

WELLINGTON HUTT AND WAIRARAPA RAILWAY.

An adjourned public meeting of those interested in the formation of the Railway was held at Greytown on Wednesday last at the Rising Sun Hotel. As the speeches were merely a repetition of those made on a former occasion and which were given in extenso in our last issue we shall now content ourselves, and we hope our readers also, with giving a “resume” of the proceedings. Mr Grigg who had acted as chairman on the former occasion was again voted to the chair and in opening the meeting said that as the last assemblage had been thin it had been thought proper to adjourn it to this day when it was expected that there would be a larger attendance. He was glad to see that his hopes were realised and that they then had settlers representing not only Greytown but also some from the other townships. He might mention that since their last meeting Mr. ONeill had passed through the Wainiuomata line that had been suggested as the best way for a railway and he hoped to see a report of his surveys of this line supplied to each of the local papers this week, another and important new fact was that Mr. Thomas Kempton junr., had on Sunday last, passed through Captain Smith line in twelve hours. He need hardly say that it was unnecessary, having Mr. Kerapton’s word for the truith of this statement, to seek corroboration for it.

Mr. Moles.—The object of this meeting is, as I understand, to obtain subscriptions for the necessary preliminary survey and you now call upon us to give our share for that purpose,

The Chairman.—Exactly so, Mr. Bunny then addressed the meeting and regretted that owing to his speech not having been reported in both papers he was compelled to go again into the matter. He then repeated the arguments that he had done on the last occision (which will be found in our last issue.) He felt compelled to say that he did not feel very much pleased at the attendance on this occasion, it was better than the last and that ■was all that could be said. The last occasion he had tried to make excuses foi the non-atten-dance of many on account of the bad weather, the same excuse did not now hold good. He regretted to have to speak plainly but he must «ay of those present he could only see—excluding himself—three who did not belong to Greytown. He regretted exceedingly that people should show this apathy when the object to be attained was one which should double the value of their own property. Mr. Bunny then went on to say that he had seen Mr. Groves who had called upon him some day or two ago and who spoke confidently of finding Gold in the Wairarapa. Mr Groves was a thoroughly practical man and one in whom he believed in before a dozen scientific men. He hoped that every man-would put his hand in his pocket and subscribe towards paying the expenses of Mr. Groves and party. The chairman had told them that Mr. O’Neill had been through the Wainuiomata line, for himself he did not approve of that line. The railway should in his opinion be brought either over the Rimuteka saddle or through Captain Smith’s line. •He did not consider it ■desirable or fair to exclude the Upper and Lower Hutt from the line of Railway. He was glad to see that the subscriptions for the preliminary survey were coming in quickly as Mr Hirschberg had already collected £4o* and he (Mr Bunny) had got £26. He advocated the appointment of sub-committees to work in unison with those appointed by the head committee at Wellington. He had no doubt that with energy and perseverance the matter would be brought to a successful issue. He had for many years persistently advocated the necessity for a Railway and he hoped he would be spared 3'et to see the Railway started. After some desultory discussion the following sub-committees were appointed;— For Carterton, Messrs R. Daysh, H. •Jackson, S. Oats, B. Boys and Mr Fairbrother (the mover.) For Greytown:—Messrs WakeKn, Kempton sear., Kempton, junr., Hirschberg and Moles (the Mover.) For FcatherstonMessrs Tucker, Lucena, Nicholls, Lucas and Bunny (the mover.) For MastertonMessrs V. Smith, Masters, Dixon, Hare and Bannister.

COLD PROSPECTING IN THE WAIRAEATA. After the Railway meeting was concluded a meeting was held for the purpose of obtaining subscriptions towards defraying the expenses of Mr Groves and party in the Wairarapa. The conversation was so desultory that we could hardly do it justice unless we reported it in full but want of space prevents our doing so The result _was simply that Mr John Hawke who had given the information to Mr Groves and was present stoted that as certain difficulties had arisen he would not go with Mr. Groves as he originally intended, to point out the locality where he (Mr Hawke) had found gold, but he intended to go up with a party of his own and not to join Mr Groves. The question of paying Mr Hawke for the expense he was at in prospecting was raised but he stated that he declined receiving any subscriptions. The meeting separated after sevaral had expressed their willingness to subscribe to assist Mr Groves in his prospecting tour.