House of Representatives.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 803, 9 August 1877, Page 2

House of Representatives.

yesterday BRANCH RAILWAYS. - The House was occupied this afternoon -with an important discussion on Mr. Macandrew's resolntions, that with a view to opening up the interior and outlying districts, and providing for the beneficial occupation v and • settlement thereof lines of railway be constructed up the Waikato valley (?) [Thames valley] to Wahemo, to Lake Wanaka, to Tapanui, and other places. That as these limes would pass through extensive aieas of Crown lands the sale of which

would more than cover cost ot the whole, and the sefctiement on which, would increase gejieral reVeniie steps to be' taicen tb Btirvey the land into suitable allotments,; a large portion of the same ,fo; ( be,* witheld from sale, pending the completion bi the respective lines ; also that provisions be made-for iregulating t t6e area of allotments so as to encourage those employed m the construction of the. lines to acqaire and settle down on.lands contlgubiis ttfttiework. and that an address 'lie presented to the Governor praying hini to 'give effeofc to these resolutions. Mr Macandrew said \that if these proposed' "vail ways were constructed five thousand . families would find homes. The total length of^ two lines wonld be 220 miles; Seye'ileightns of them passing across'plains would not exceed a cost of J82,50f) per mile. . r Mr Ormond. said the estimate ought to be nearer 45,000 per mild. The oosj wbuldbe over The country was already burdened with as much as it could stagger under. The Government proposed to appropriate, this session, half-a,-million for works m otago. Other districts had an equ^l; claj.m with j J Qtago. ■■. ■•?:; :' v'.-u-X.':-. * ; r-''- < Mr Seymodr pr6posed to insert branch railways, m- , Marlbprough district. - . * i Mr Oarringtqnj supported the American system' oi 1 laying off the lands alonside m alternate blocks.! < Mr Curtis proposed to insert the word colony, instead of the words, "Province of Otago," and insert words to mate proposed work mean trunk railway through, both Islands. Mr De Liiour thought the government should have. ; come ; down with a definite Statement that did hot propose to borrow" more money, and would not further demoralize | the House. He referred' to the struggles that would take place over the Laud Fund, If this were to be a continual bone discussion, he would be prepared ,to support, the colonisation of the Land Fund./? Mr Stout said . the Government should have set aside railway re'seives along the lines, and have sold them at enhanced prices, instead of making' lines through private property, which exclusively benefited a few land owners; ■ ;. Mr Gisbotirne said the localisation of the Land Fund was at the bottom of the whole question.