PUBLIC MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE. The Railway Terminus.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1502, 18 February 1882, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE. The Railway Terminus.

In pursuance of advertisement, a meeting of the residents of Cambridge was held in the Public Hall on Wednesday evening last, for the purpose of considering the best and most convenient site for the railway terminus. There were about a hundred people present, and the chair was occupied by Mr Thos. Wells. The chairman in opening the proceedings, said he desired to say a few words by way of explaining his position, and also his action in convening the meeting. On receiving the requisition signed by Mr Reid and a number of the ratepayers, he gave the matter every consideration, and felt that the step which the requisitionists had chosen to take was certainly one in the wrong direction, the thing being altogether premature. Although the requisition had been signed by the requisite number of ratepayers, he hesitated to call the meeting, and wrote a letter to those who signed it, explaining his reasons for so doing. That letter covered all the ground of what his objections really were. He would read the letter to the meeting, also Mr Reids reply, in which he said he had acted on the advice of those who had signed the requisition, and that these gentlemen wished the meeting to be called at once. Consequently, though personally adverse to calling it, he had nothing else to do but comply to the wish of Mr Reid and bis friends, and call a public meeting. His reply was as follows : — Wm. Reid Esq. — I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of the requisition signed by you and 18 others, of the 19th inst., requesting me to call a public meeting re the Cambridge Railway Station site. While admitting your perfect right to have the meeting called, I would, before calling it, ask you to reconsider the matter by having a quiet meeting of the gentlemen signing with you to consider the following issues, viz., Is not the present time inopportune for publicly discussing the subject? Could we reasonably hope to unanimously pass a resolution recommending any site ? Would not division of opinion publicly expressed, afford excuse to Government for delay ? Are the public in possession of any information showing that the Public Works Department will act inadvisedly or against the beßt interests of the town in their selection ? It has been the policy here at all o\ir public meetings re railways, &c., during the past three years, not to raise this debateable subject for fear of jeopardising our railway or delaying its construction. I respectfully submit these dangers are still imminent, and that to publicly discuss this subject at the present time would be likely to produce results not desired by the requisitionists, and deeply to be deplored by all those whose first wish is railway communication for the town. Will you be good enough to submit this letter to the gentlemen acting with yoa, and oblige yours faithfully, Thos. Wells. —Mr Reid in reply, wrote as follows :— Sir.— l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter re railway station site, •end in reply have to state that I have placed your letter before the gentlemen signing the requisition, to call a meeting, and they all agree that the meeting should be called at once. They think it will be the means of urging on the work, and hope you will comply with their request without further delay. Yours respectfully, Wm. Reid.— In the face of this letter, the meeting was accordingly called at as early a date as possible, and he felt that he was then absolved from the consequences that might accrue from the discusssion of this subject. MrWm. Reid wished to explain the reason why he took an active part in this matter. A number of gentlemen had impressed on him the fact that a certain clique of influential residents actuated by purely selfish motives, and with a view to their own, personal aggrandizement were industriously exerting themselves to have, the railway station placed in a certain convenient quarter without respect to the convenience of any other portion of' the townspeople 'whatever! Considering this fact , in : its real aspect they agreed io call a pnblic meeting and have a friendly discussion on the matter, and decide amicably .among themselves where the. station- would be^ best adapted to benefit the town arid .country at large. As for him he had nq, special desire to have, the railway station located, in any one particular^quarter, so long*AS the con- ' venienceof the greatest i liuijjroerwas considered/ A great inany-Vere of the same opinion as Mmself.^lt^was ,oHviqus that it was a matter of 'the greatest consideration not bnly*i^ttteyo"vynsp%6"ple but also to the° settlejr|i k -*ofsih'^pu*uying, t districts .where tKe s&tijoii |sho^d T be r "aiubthey rail agreed^'thj| \ discussion - was 1 thY most dire'ctWaySpf; settling the matter.,, \ peyeraifsitep^nSdibeen; spoken of as the mV^^fableJl^SoßSe 1 advocated the r.Of^mM&^^j^^^^cmoato

on which the Constabulary were at pre sent quartered, some the paddock behinc the late Major Clare's property, some th< ground near the lake, and others the ground adjoining the tramway on tin Town Belt. As all these places had gol their various advocates present to sei forth the advantages of one site and the disadvantages of the others. He was desirous of hearing them express then opinions so that they might come to <i conclusion as to the most commendable site. (Applause). He would therefore move " That in the opinion of this meeting the reserve at the back of the residence of the late Major Clare is the best place for the Cambridge Railway Station to be placed for the benefit and convenience of the people, both in town and coittttry." He speaking to the resolution hflf^ffuld , wish the meeting to observe thathe was not altogether desirous that the^ should accept this particular site, his purpose being merely to advocate a place where room could be found for the construction of cattle yards, goods sheds, &c, so that the centre of the town might not be polluted by crowds of cattle and sheep waiting for the train, and so that their principle thoroughfares might not be perpetually blockaded with a continuous flow of traffic which would certainly be the case if the raihvay station were located anywhere in the centre of the town. By the station being placed in the quarter set forth in his resolution both the townspeople and the outside country settlers would be con venienced, it being within easy access to all parties. He had heard that Mr KirkAvood Avas prepared to cut a street through his paddock from opposite the English Church to the proposed site, and this Avas another great consideration in the adoption of this place. All parties should be prepared to give and take a little, so that the most central site and the most suitable should be had. Mr J. Johnson seconded the resolution. Mr S. Bright, in proposing an amendment said his reason for so doing was that it Avas altogether premature and inopportunitive to agitate the question of a fetation at the present time. The business of the Cambridge public Avas first to secure a raihvay, and when that Avas done, and when they Avere sure they Avere going to have it, and that there Avas no further shuffling on the part of the Government, then he thought it would be a right and a proper thing to discu&s — if such a discussion avoulcl have any weight — as to Avhere Avas the most suitable place for the station. He did not intend to say anything more on that question than that it was his opinion the Gorernment paddock at the foot of Victoriastreet was for all interest?, both district and local the most suitable place, and Avhen the proper time arriA r ed he intended giving his leasons for such an opinion. He Avould therefore propose the folloAving amendment : — "That the present time is considered inopportune for discussing the site of the raihvay station, and that this meeting stand adjourned till a future day." In speaking to the amendment he would Avish the meeting to understand that he Avas not surprised at Mr Reid and his friends being anxious for their rights, knoAving lioav often they had been deceived by " the poAvers that bo" in Cambridge. When the people of the upper flat came to the loAver part of the toAvn, and saAv lioav £2000 had been spent on filling up corners Avith no other object or purpose but that of improving private pioperty, it Avas no Avonder that they a\ ere a little suspicious, because a burnt child, as they all kneAV, dreaded the fire. But to speak of the raihvay itself. He would call to their recollection a meeting held in that hall a feAV months ago on the railway question. They were then assured by the tAvo Government apologists — the chairman and his friend Mr Campbell — that everything was in such an advanced state that Avithin three months tenders would be called for the ; avoi k, and e\'erything avoulcl be under way, instead of which everything Avas in &tatu quo, and nothing at all had been done. He hoped that these gentlemen would not be so ready in pledging their veracity for any Government in the time to come, seeing what a> misei able failiue their prophecy had been. The meeting should Avait until Government had got a correct repoit from their engineers as to Avhich Ava& the cheapest survey to adopt, for they could depend upon it that Avould be the one they Avould have. (Applause.) Mr Reid Avas anxious to knoAV Avhat harm they Avould do by simply expressing their opinion as to Avhere the station should be. He could not see if they came to a conclusion as to the be&t place for the station that it mattered Avhethcr they ever got a raihvay or not. (Laughter and applause.) If the raihvay came they could have the station fixed, and if it did not come it Avould do them no harm. Mr Clarke had great pleasuie in seconding Mr Bright's amendment. In doing so he Avi&hed to make a feAV remarks. H e had heard that there a\ as a move on foot at the other end of the district in reference to a deviation of the line at a certain junction, and if they began to squabble at this end among themselves he thought it Avould only afford ample ground to the Government to postpone the making of the raihvay at the present time. They Avere perfectly safe, and he thought that those at the upper end of the toAvn as Avell as the loAver end had ample time to consider this important question at a future date. It Avas only a short time until Parliament met again, and if tenders Avere not called for the work before then, the money would have to be re- voted. Their object at present Avas to urge that the Avork be proceeded with, and not to be troubling themselves and the Government about the station. He believed hoAvever that they could safely leave the matter in the hands the Government who Avould doubtless put the station in the most suitable place for the community at large. (Applause.) The chairman supported the amendment. They could not reasonably expect to pass a unanimous resolution in favour of any one particular site at present. The time Avould doubtless come when such a meeting would do good. They seemed to have begun at the wrong end of the stick by thinking that Government had fixed upon any particular site, in fact could assure them that no more whatever had been made in reference to where the station should or should not be situated. It Avas time enough when the Government had fixed on some particular site to raise au objection, and demand that a more convenient site should be chosen. Mr Reid again addressed the meeting at considerable length. He maintained that there Avas no time like the present to consider the matter. Why should they wait until the site was actually decided on, Avhen there Avould be no chance of getting it altered ? It Avas they Avho found the money, not the Government, who had only the spending of it. and why should they not have a say in the matter of how their money should be spent J He Avould warn those present agaiiisi; Jetting the GoA^ernment deprive them qr<£he privilege of choosing their own station site. (Sear hear, and applause). Mr Kirkwood thought that something to the effigct that the meeting was perfectly satisfied to leave the matter entirely in the hands of the engineer, should 1 be added to the amendment. '•> Mr Bright animadverted at considerable length on the undesirableness of leaving such a vital matter in the hands of ]bhe authorities, (meaning the local au- v thorities).' ,„.<,.*■*

The Rev. Mr Willis wauted to know whether or not they could bring other matters in connection with the Cambridge Railway before the meeting, as he thought it a pity that such a good meeting should be allowed to disperse without something been done. The chairman replied that according to the act they could not discuss any business beyond that set forth in the advertisement. Mr J. P. Campbell wished to say a word or two on the matter before the meeting. He thought it was undesirable that this question should be discussed at the present time. They were all aware that difficulties had arisen in regard to this matter that numerous delays had taken place, that a number of deputations had seen ministers, and that a large amount of work had been done by the Railway Committee. They would make a great mistake he thought, in proceeding to discuss the matter of where the station should be at the present time. Mr Reid had indicated four probable sites as suitable, and he thought a fifth might be added — that adjoining the Lake — presuming thatthey proceeded to discuss this question. They had all property inteaests in the place, and their individual opinions would certainly be swayed according to wheie their property was situated. If the number present were divided by the number of sites proposed there would no doubt be an equality of suppoit sor all. Should they proceed to discuss the question, the meeting would very likely end in squabbling not complimentary to ourselves, nor in any way conducive to the furtherance of the object in view. He had heard that a deputation Avas to wait upon the Premier at Hautapu, to recommend a deviation in the line, and when he came to hear through the local papers that they had been squabbling about where the station was to be, he would naturally say that the people are so divided it &eems to be unnecessary and undesirable that they should have a railway at all. On these grounds he rose for the purpose of supporting the amendment. The chairman said it would doubtless interest the meeting to know that the local bodies were not in any way losing sight of the importance of the main question and were urging by all legitimate means the speedy letting of the contract for the railway itself. It had been arranged that a deputation from the Waikato County Council, with the member for the district should wait upon the Premier, and it had also been arranged that three members of the Town Board should wait upon him, drawing attention to the necessity of the speedy prosecution of the woik, together with other matters of paramount importance to the district. Mr F. Hicks also concurred with the amendment. The present time was quite immature to consider the matter of where the station should be. The country settlers were as much inteiested as the townspeople, and when the proper time came, their voices would certainly be heard in the matter. The Government should be left first to consider, and then if they they were not pleased with the choice made, a public meeting could be called. (Applause). Messrs Bright and Reid having re-ad-dressed the meeting, the chairman put the amendment, and on a show ot hands being taken, 37 voted for it. The resolution was then put and was supported by 9 hands. The amendment was declared canied. The meeting then broke up, when MiBright proceeded to address it on the matter of local authorities, &c, but failed to secure a hearing.