PROPOSED CAMBRIDGE RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1268, 14 August 1880, Page 2

PROPOSED CAMBRIDGE RAILWAY.

A public) meeting of settlers of the Cambridge North Township Highway District was held at the Public Hall, Cambridge, at 3 o'clock, on Tuesday afternoon. R. H. D. Fergusson, Esq., occupied the chair, and read the notice convening the meeting, signed by Mr Campbell, Chairman C.N.T.H.D. He remarked that he regretted having to notice the absence of many of the large landed proprietors of the district, but presumed there was a justifiable cause, knowing they had contributed largely to the eipensea in connection with the Commission. On referring to the Commissioners' report, he said it is well known they distinctly say " that they recommend that the Morrinsville line shall only be carried out for some

three or four miles, and that the Cambridge line be proceeded with forthwith" In the face of this the Government have recourse, to the subterfuge of making mt quiries as to which line will be most beneficial to the country. As far as the superiority of the two lines was concerned there could not be a doubt as to the general result, and if the Government did not intend to abide by the Commission, it would have been better for them not to have appointed a Commission at all. Mr Wells, in moving: the following resolution, said he hoped it would m§et with that discussiou befitting its importance to the district. It was said the Government required further evidence of the utility of the Cambridge line, which was !to him puzzling in the extreme,. What further evidence could they want than was already in • theip possession ? • They had the testimony of thair own Commission, and that to them should be the highest tribunal. He thought it only an excuse and that there niuefc- be outside pressure brought to bear, and if we sit down quietly, to allow ourselves to be overrun we shall find lines being proceeded ' with that have not a tithe of the proba- ! bility of paying which the Cambridge line has. Again, in referring to the Government wishing further information, he thought it was a palpable excuse and a downright injustice. Cambridge made the greatest effort to lay every information and every particular before the Commission : an engineer was got expressly from the South, plans were executed, and surveys were made, costing the district soma £500; and yet, with the verdict of the Commission, further evidence was required. He therefore proposed, "Tnat this meecing view wi.h distrust the action of the Government in making the vote for the Cambridge line an alternative one with that for the Morrinsville line, the Royal Commission having represented the Cambridge line as one for immediate construction ; and hope that the Government will reconsider their determination and cause the Cambridge line to be commenced forthwith." The resolution was seconded by Mr F. Hicks, who regretted with the Chairman the absence of many settlers. On reverting to the Commission, he said they were highly intelligent and honorable men, and chosen by the Government as such, and their report testified to the piying qualities of the line ; scill the judgment was an alternative one. He considered it an insult to the Commission ; but thought the Government was bound to acknowledge their decision. Mr Wells moved, " That the resolution be telegraphed to our member at Wellington, and a copy sent to the Minister of Public Works,' ' which was seconded by Mr Douglas and carried. The meeting then terminated.