THE AUCKLAND-WAIKATO RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 953, 1 August 1878, Page 2

THE AUCKL AND-WAIK ATO RAILWAY.

CAUCUS OF NORTHERN MEMBERS. Wis arc indebted to the ' Herald's ' special wire of Tuesday for the following : — A meeting of Northern, members was held to-day m one of the committee rooms for the purpose, of taking the opinion of those members interested m the construction of a main line of railway from Riverton to Tarauaki aud Wangauui, and to decide what action should bo taken m the matter. Thirteeu (unlucky number) members attended, viz., Major Atkinson, Mi-sue Kelly, Fox, Whitaker, Dignau, Swansou, Carrington, Bryee, Williams, Hobbs, Hainlin, Douglas, and Moss. Mr Whitaker, Mr Fox, and Major Atkinson were respectively aakod to take the chair, but declined ; and Mr Kelly, as convener of th« jjieetlug, was appointed.

chairman. Ho pointed out the object of the meeting, and expressed tho desire that existed for ha ring portions of tho line from YVanganui to Taranaki, which were stiU incomplete, immediately commenced, and that it would be advisable to have a running survey of line between Taranaki and Ohaupo (which latter is the furthest point from Auoklund which tho railway ia made to) made next recess. Mr Fox said that thin portion of the line was really a terra incuynita, and that the land was poor and of no account, while, on the other hand, the roads between Wauganui and Tarunaki were, by reason of the great traffic, m such a bad condition, and likely to be worse, that there was great need for the construction of the lino from Wanganui to Taranaki without delay. Mr Whitaker dissented from Mr Fox'h view as regards the quality of the land, and drew attention to the Governor's speech, m which it was stated that there was a. strong probability of our getting good land m the district alluded to. It was not, he thought, a question as to the quality of the land, but as to whether or not we were likely to get it. Major Atkinson and Mr Kelly both agreed with the tow taken by Mr Fox, as did also Mr Bryee ; although, at the same time, Major Atkinson remarked that he did not wish to put any stopper m tha way of extension of the line m a place where it was urgently required. Sir R. Douglas pointed out that the whole matter of Railway northward should bo considered, and that those portions should be made which had tlio* best prospect of paying workmg oxpensoa; but that if this particular portion of the line was to be discussed, it ought to bo looked at from a strategic point of view, and m that case the line should be continued on from Waikato into the heart of the King country. Mr Swansou suid it appoared to bun that the Auckland members were not wanted at that meeting at all, which seeinoJ to be for the purpose of getting tho Taranaki and Wanganui line carried out at once, and that through from Ohaupo to Taranaki only spoken of. After some further general talk, it was, on the motion of Mr Whitaker, agreed that the meeting should be postponed until the other members interested arrive, and that m the meantime Mr Blaekett' be requested to furnish a map of the northern railway as originally proposed. 1 ho Auckland members appear a little dissatisfied with this meeting, as its tone has induced the idea that there was an attempt to hoodwink, and while pretending to aid the carrying of the line through the King country, really to get the Wauganui-Tarauaki portion at once proceeded with. I think that the question is not one merely of Taranaki or \ uckland, but of the whole colony, North and South, for it is true that the railway m the King country meaus a guarantee of peace and settlement, as it unquestionably does, then it is a purely colonial concern, affecting at once our future trade, our finance, our productions, and establishing and improving the colonial credit.