CAMBRIDGE BRANCH RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1175, 8 January 1880, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE BRANCH RAILWAY.

A meeting of the committee was held on Monday, sth January, to meet Mr G-wyn-neth, O.E. Tn the absence of Mr Rohert Fergusson, Mr E. B. Walker was voted to the chair. There were present: Messrs Thomas Wells, Jas. Hally, W. A. Graham, Eoht. Kirkwood, Dr. Waddington, and Mr J P. Campbell (Secretary). The minates of last meeting were read and confirmed. On the motion of Mr W. A. Graham, Dr. Waddington's name was added to the committee. The Secretary then read a copy of a telegram sent by Mr Fergusson, the Chairman, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, stating the object for which the committee had been formed at the public meeting 1 , and their intentions with regard to the railway. The Secretary stated that no reply or acknowledgment had been received. Mr W. A. Graham then introduced Mr Gwynneth to the committee, and said he was desirous of inspecting the proposed routes as soon as possible. Mr Graham proposed, Mr Wells seconded, and it was carried, " That the following gentlemen be appointed to ! accompany Mr Gwynneth over the proposed route to-morrow morning (Jan. 6) : Messrs Robert Fergusson, John Rnnciman, E. B Walker, S. Steele, Dr. Waddington, Kobert Kirkwood, J. A. Douglas, and the mover." It was also resolved to ask any settler through whose property the line is likely to go. The Secretary then stated that he had partly canvassed the township for subscriptions towards tho survey, and had i about £80 promised. Mr Graham said he had not actually canvassed the country settlers, but had merely asked them for support and subscriptions. Ho had, without one excep1 tion, met with the most cordial support ! and co-operation. i This was all the business.

Mr Gwynneth, G.E., left Cambridge on Tuesday morning, at 10 a.in.,with. Messrs Wells, Robert Kirkwood, and Dr Waddington, and rode out to Tamahere, where they were joined by Mr John Douglas. They then proceeded to Hautapu, and from thence through Pencarrow farm (Messrs Martyns) to the Narrows, where they met Messrs E. B. Walker and Samuel Steele. Here Mr Gwynneth examined the bridge, and expressed his high admiration of its design and compactness. He was of opinion that if strengthened with a horse truss it would carry the railway over ; but it was rather low for it, and it might be better to build another close alongside. tJe then examined the Upper Narrows, and fixed upon a spot to Inspect from a boat. The party having now diminished to three, rode over three of the proposed routes. The most practicable route yet suggested is from the Rukuhia station through a small portion of the swamp, passing close to the back of the grand stand on the Ohaupo racecourse, then running between the farms of Messrs Gribble and Steele, to ths river at bridge or the Upper Narrows, whichever is mosfc practicable. The railway will then paßs through the properties of Messrs Graham, J. and W. L. Martyn, and pass between two of the Bald Hills, crossing the property of Mr Paton and Mr W. B. Morgan ; crossing the road it will then pass alongside the farms of Messrs Martyn, senr., Selby, and Broadmeadows, by Mr Ailwill's property to the cemetery, where it meets the two -chain Taupiri road, along which it will run to the township. This was the route inspected on Tuesday by Mr Gwynneth and the committee. But it will be some little time before the route can bo fixed. Mr Gwynneth, however, will commenco to lay off the line without delay. The only difficulties on the route are : the swamp close lo Rukuhia station, the Narrows, and the approaches on either side ; all tho rest of the way it is plain sailing, there being no gullies to cross, and only one or two small culverts required.