TE AWAMUTU AUCKLAND AND PUNIU RAILWAY PUBLIC MEETING.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 670, 5 September 1876, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU AUCKLAND AND PUNIU RAILWAY PUBLIC MEETING.

Th» meeting on Saturday re Auckland and Puniu Lt nil way, was largely attended. Mr J A Mandeno \vi»s vo ed to the eh ir, and read tho notice calling tho meeting. Mr Kat read a telegram from Mr \ Ox, M H E, in rrply to one from bin■elf asking for information. The telo gram was as follow* :— " Placed telenm before Kichardson ; works progressing 5 contracts to Newone'le latt fow days entered into ; money in hand for completion ; bold meo'ing at any rate. In my opmi n, ft rcfo ution should be pa*sed expre^Bing nfceisity at a m ttpr r f polipj, in connection with nativo question, to ha«ten completion." — A Cox. It was proposed by Captaiu Bickett, "That this meeting U of opinion that in order to make th» Auckland and Puniu Railway lemunerativc, it u necessary thut it bo cxtondodio too froutior as soon us possible. The dittri< t round nnd about tbo proposed tciinimis in ono of great cxtnnt nnd fertility, and wo'dd of itself cause much traffic for tiho railway in question, and the meeting is further of opinion tba 1 ; the line bj being completed to or near the frontier would ti'nd materially towards brenling dorm tbt» barrijr existincr bntwren the natiro nnd Kurojwin r:co. by proai^tlng traffic anJ luJercourw.

T. o Ii o pr-ec diiiij iio further thun Ohiui]<o would be of rio po"tiblt» n-e to the n.itiTei, who. on thcr part strongly wish to have tho benefit of the railway fur conveying tlieir produce direct to Auckland, lr would also by coming to the frontier indue©- the native* to open up their land for (be purpose of riilwny extension when tliet perceive the benefit* ihitt would nccrue to them by to doing." Tbe above resolution was seconded by Mr Hay. who quote! from the G-oYjru-ment Public Workt Statement, 1870 :—: — " Newcastle and Fumu Line, 29 tnilet and 30 chains, approphcion £200,000; esti-nated Qo3t, £150 U 00" also Public Woika Statement, 1876:— " Kaipa>aand Pumu Line, £161,000"; and • .id that Government ought by all means be kont up to their 1 promiiea. Carried unaniinouily. Major Jackson stated that tin, Govero* tnent had jncladod in their <ritimate« £161,000 for Kaipara and Puniu linet, but that the Home iud not yet pasted the mimutea, but no doubt they would ) they aliroys did. The Chairman said it appeared to him the buiineu of the maeting was to try •nd get tho railway at near to th« fron» tier us possible, and not hare it terminate at Obaupo, tbe already great trafflo from such a centre at this would largely increuia if the railway were oorried on u contemplated by tho Gtorernment in 1875. Mr Cox promised great thing* at hit meeting at Obaupo, now let them atk him to carry them out. Mr Kay proposed that the " resolution as patsed be telegraphed to Mr Cox." Mr Johns proposer) as an amendment " That it be sent to Sir George Grey and Mr Wbitaker, Mr Cox was tbe greatest enemy to Auckland in the Boa**. Hit rinicreitwsll toy Hi the Middle I«l»nd. Mr Kay then amended hls'rrtolntion, "■ That the resolution be tent to all three, which was carried unanimously. A oordwjl vote of thankt c. ncluded the meeting.— Fkom x C itntiponoissT.