PUBLIC MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 10, 24 December 1878, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE.

A BRANCH -RU WAY FOR CAMBRIDGE. A PUBLIC MEETING Was hold On Saturday afternoon last, to take into consideration the advisability of sanding a deputation to interview the Minister of Public Works m reference to the Cambridge Kail way and liotorua llond. Many of the leading and most influential settlers of the district were present. Mr R. D. Fergnsson was voted to the chair, and Mr W. Richardson, appointed secretary. The Chairman having read the advertisement covening the meeting, stated that at the meeting- held last night by the gentlemen at whose instance they had now met, he was requested to telegraph to Mr Macandrew, and ask him, at what time it would be convenient for him to receive a deputation from this district. He had receivad a telegram m reply, from Mr Mac audrew, stating that he was [paving for the South that day, or on the following Monday morning at the latest. It would not be possible, therefore, for a deputation to meet him m Auckland, unless some unexpected delay shouid detain him there, .But the meeting could pass resolutions, with a view of fur the iing their object, and have them telegraphed to the Miniver for Public Works. He (Mr Ferguason) thought they should do all they could to get the Hue of railway to Cambridge. He did not think that the Waikato and Thames Railway would pay, unless a branch from Hamilton to Cambridge formed part of the line. He understood, Mr Clark was prepared to bring forward the first resolution. Mr G. E. Clark thou came forward, and said the resolution he had to propose was as follows : — " That ihis meeting is of opinion, seeing the Thames and Waikato Railway is about to be commenced, that it is moat deairable that a branch line to Cambridge should form part of the scheme and should be surveyed and commenced without further delay." For many years to come, Mr Clark went on to say, this brauch would be the only part of the line that v?ould pay. It was unneecessary for them, he thought, to go down on their knees and beg and pray the Ministers to construct the line. They had only to show the great importance of this part of the Waikato District, and tlie vast improvements which had been made m an incredibly shorb space of time, and the large quantities of produce and stcck thedis trict was capable of bringing forth to supply the markets of boib Auckland and the Thames, and they must be determined to receive due consideration at the handa of the Government. Mr John Runciman quite agreed with what Mr Clark had said. The actual distance that the line would travel over was only 9}, miles ; only one bridge would be required to be constructed, 20ft. span, and four culverts six feet wide each and the line would be perfectly level. The only cutting required to be made would be not more than 300 yards and 7 feet at its deepest parr. The ballast also eoulcl bo obtaind all along the lins. JNofc only that, if the Government would construct this line of railway, and lay it out before the land was pufc under cultivation, the land along the whole line would cost the Government nothing, except one allotment which he could not speak for. The wholes of the line could be constructed under .£3OOO a mile. There was ouly a very little bit of swamp at one end. He was quite certain that this would bd the best paying part of the line. He had great pleasure m seconding Mr Clark's resolution. Mr J. P. Campbell said he gave his hearty support to the lesolution, but he did not agree with the remarks that had been inaue by a previous speaker to the effect that the line between Hamilton and Waito i would not pay for many years to come, lie had resided m the Waitoa district for the list two years, and was thoroughly convinced from his own knowledge qf |t that a very large trade between Waikato on the o ie side and the Thames on the o:li9r, would be carried on wiMi the whole of thn Piako and Waitoa districts as soon as the line was opened up. From his former residence m the town of Cambridge, and from his now holding a largo amount of property m the place, he considered himself to some extent a Cambridge man, and would support the Cambridge people m this, as m al| otijer matters which would promote the welfu.ro of the district. At the same time he would say he considered the branch liae to Cambridge would be the best paying portion of the sphema. He warmly sqpnortcd, the resolution. The. resolution was put to the Meeting-, and carried unanimously. { Mr B. B. Walker, said the resolutiofl. he had to propose was " Th.afc it is very d.esirahje that a roaij from Cambridge to Botorua hould be

constructed at once, opening up, as I it would, a la rgo bract of country avnihible for settlement, m addition to effecting a communication between the Watkato ami tlio Lako district, and, further, acting- as an important feeder to the branch line , the construction of which is recommended iv the foregoing resolution." In a conversation ho (Mr Walker) had j the other day, with the Minister for Public Works, ho had urged upon him the necssity of forming this ro id,aud Mr Macandrew had agreed, and stated thai all the money then m the Treasury available for such purposes (vbich, he understood, was about £1,500) should bo expended m constrdeiing this road. Since then, he had heard tint a bridge had been carriel a.vay, down South, somewhere, it 'might have been m Otago, perhaps it was, and that the bulk of this money was to be devoted to ita re-coustruction, and that, therefore, a very 8 na'l sum was left. They should use their endeavoLS to get a- sufficient sum to make a proper coach road as so.on as possible. Mr Williams seconded the resolution. Mr J. P. Campbell said it gave him great pleasuvo to support this resolution j also as the road m question was of great importance to this district. He had been iaoommunicatian with some friends at Tanpo on the subject ; who had informed him that the residents there would willingly do what they could to bring pressure on the Government to have it formed without delay, and to give their assistance (which would be very valuable) m removing any native difficulty that may arise. Some discussion than ensued as to what route should bo selected. Bat it was thought that question should be left to the Government Engineer. Mr Walker's motion was then put and carried unanimously. • Mr Bright said he was glad to see the Cambridge people waking up, to make a demand for their rigits. They had been tamely looking on and dreaming, fat and sleek as they were, and letting- other places of leas importance make themselves heard, while Cambridge was being left out m the cold. Let the Ministers ride up from Hamilton to Cambridge ; let them ride round by Tana eh ere, and by Pukerimu to Ohaupo, and back to PiiUekura, and especially let them go to Taotaoroa and beyond, and they will see as fine a producing district as there is m the whole colouy j let them see the improvements that have been effected on the Gorton and Patetero estates, during the past year ; let them see the rapid strides the district had made m roads, and m getting laud fenced under cultivation, and he would undertake to say, that they could be cloned to find another district m that part of the Island, called the Provincial District of Auckland, equal to it. Let them go by the geography, population, and agricultural statistics of the district, and they would see that what was asked from the Government was only theu- due. They must bestir and make themselves heard. Mr Macandrow was the proper person to apply to, as he was responsible for the Department of the Government, to which their demands should be addrGSSQd. A. deputation now would not, most probably, find him ia Auckland, but the resolutions could be telegraphed to him, and if some gentlcnen were appointed as a deputation, they could interview Sir George Grey, if it wore not possible to see Mv JVjaoandrew. The gentlemen forming the depntatatian would be able to use their discretion as to the best manner ix which to carry out the wishes of the meeting- m having the resolutions fairly considered by the Government. He would therefore move, " That the foregoing resolutions be telegraphed to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works afc once, and tint I his meeting deplore that Mr Macandrew had Iq go South suddenly, and that a deputation consisting of Messrs G. JiJ. Clark. BJ.-B. Walker, R. H. D. Fergus-son, and llobort Kirk wood wait upon the Minister with thy resolution passed at the meeting. Mr J. P. Campbell seconded. Carried unanimously. • The Chairman then s-iid that it had been suggested that at this tneetiug the question of the new county should be discussed. He, therefore, put it to the meeting- as to whether this matter shquld bo brought forward or nob. It was unanimously agreed to. Some lidtlft discusssion followed, and Mr Bright uoved '" That the deputation be also requested to urge upon tho Government fiho necessity of ad vis- ! ing the Governor to issue a procla- j uutiou declaring the Couuty of Cambridge, m accordance with the ni3in n'ial sent by the ratepayers, defining ita boun laries. Mr John Marty a seconded. Canned, nan. aut,.