DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 938, 27 June 1878, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

i The Chamber of Commerce in Auckland held a meeting on Mon- ? day forenoon to consider amongst other matters, .the question of a central railway station for Auckland, and (he Taranaki railway extension. In considei ing the latter subject the resolution regardiner the , extension of the Taranaki railway from Inglewood to ISTorraanby, a distance of 28 miles, in order to connect the Waimate Plains and Pa tea with ■ a port of call, was now taken. , The Chairman moved the resolu- , tion of the committee, and Mr Lamb seconded its adoption. ; Mr Lamb pointed out that 5 nothing could be more important than opening up agricultural . country, aud railways were the best [ and most expeditious means to this . end. They all knew that without t means of communication they mights L have, as they had, the best and most . fertile plains iu the world, but they L could not benefit the colony until 5 means of communication were . afforded to bring 1 the produce from [ these agricultural districts to a market Mr Lennox pointed out that the proposal would strengthen the hands of the Government in settling the native difficulty. Mr McMillan urged that the railways should be pushed to the frontier of the King country, from ' Alexandra on one side and Taranaki L on the other : thus only about 70 ■ miles would remain to connect when ' the native difficulty was settled, On the suggestion of the Chairman, it was finally agreed that the committee's resolution be prefaced. as' follows : — ' That the Goverment be urged to push the Waikato railway to the northern boundary of the King country, &c,' Thus amended the resolution was put and carried. After the meeting a deputation of the Chamber, consisting of Mes3rs J. C. Firth, C. C. MacMillan, T. Morrin, D. B. Craicksbank, an:l L. D. Nathan, waited yesterday upon the Minister of Public Works, for the purpose of urging upon the Government the adoption of several proposals conducive to the trade and. commerce of the city and colony. Mr Firth laid before the Minister a series of resolutions whioh had been passed by the Chamber of Commerce, recommending : — 1. That the present Auckland terminus of the railway should be extended to a more central position, towards the, south end of Queen, street, " with as little delay as possible." 2. That, in order to provide effectually for increase of passenger traffic, a passenger station be erected at a central position iu ! the city. 3. That, in view of the, avowed intention of the Government to continue the centeral rail, way line from Te Awmutu tc* Wellington, the attention of the Government should, be drawn t©

the advantages which would »nse to the Government and the Taranaki and Patea settlers, as well as the commerce of Auckland, by constructing, with as Utile delay as possible, the line ia continuance ol the Taranaki railway, from its presemt terminus, at Inglewood, to Normanby— a distance of 28 miles thus bringing within reach oi a shipping port the fertile plains of Waimate, thereby greatly enhancing their value, and affording the means of transit to the enterprising settlers of Taranaki, Patea, and the surrounding country. 4. That, m the opinion of the Auckland Cahmber of Commerce, it is desirable that subsidies should be granted to steamers trading direct from London calling at the ports of Auckland, Wellington, Lyttleton, and Dunedin.

Mr Firth introduced the deputation, and said thut the proposals contained m the resolutions passed by the Chamber were all calculated to enhance the trade and commerce not/only of the city, but of the colony. The inconvenience of the railway terminus being so remote from the centre of trade, was being felt more and more every day. With regard to the third resolution, the extension of railway communication through the heart of the colony, and over those fertile plains, would not ouly settle a great many difficulties m regard to the public policy of the country, but would bring m a very large revenue. As regards the fourth, it was desirable that the trade by it -Miners should be encouraged as much as possible. Mr Macandrew : With reference to the extension of thf. railway to a more central position, I can only give you the same answer that I gave to the deputation which has just retired. We are favorable to the extension of the line to the wharf. As to the passenger traffic m the city. I should endeavor to facilitate it m every possible way. No doubt a tramway might be constructed, but any project of that kind will take sometime. For the present, Messrs Conyers and Lawson have suggested that some large omnibus might run from the city taking passengers to the railway. That would contribute something to the greater facility of using the line, if only as a temporary arrangement. With respect to the third proposition, the Government take the greatest interest m everything that will expedite through communication. All these meetings with Maoris which are being held are supposed to lead up to that result. Sir George Grey believes that such a result may proceed from these meetings with tLe native people.