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Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 34, 10 February 1892, Page 2

The resolution was carried unanimously.

Mr W. L. Rees, M.H.R., moved the fourth resolution, which was as follows : — " That railway communication with Rotorua should be completed without delay." Ho thought thab Mr Kelly and Mr Carroll, both members of the House of Representatives, who were present ab the meeting, would add their quota to the arguments adduced in eupporb of the Rotorua line, as their constituencies were immediately concerned in the work in question. He spoke of the great and increasing importance of the tourist traffic to the Hot Lakes district, and of the great boon it would be to the whole colony, and especially to Auckland, if the Rotorua railway line wero completed. There was not a railway line uncompleted in the colony whose completion was of more pressing necessity in the interests of New Zealand than thia Rotorua line, and he was hopeful that that evening's movement would be productive of good. The question of coat need not be gone into, as the estimates had been submitted several times, bub the trouble was that there was no money available for it. He suggested, however, that by the sale of cho surplus native lands acquired by the Government at considerable cosb, funds could be obtained sufficient to complete bhe work.

Mr W. Kelly, M.H.R., seconded the resolution. It was, he said, the intention of the Government to construct the resb of tho Rotorua line, but they were short of funds. They were as anxious as the people of Auckland were that tho line should be comploted forthwith. The last contract let on this line brought the railway track within eight miles of Rotorua, a portion of which distance was already partly formed. Tho cost of finishing the line into Rotorua was estimated at about £24,000. Mr Kelly endorsed all that tho previous speakers bad said about the Stratford route, though ho thought that they should ask for more than the £9,000 or £10,000 they desired for a bridle tiack.

Mr J. Carroll, M.H.R. for the Eastern Maori district, also spoke. He felt, he said, from all he had heard, that the subject of tho Stratford route had been very fully and carefully considered by the meeting, and be promised to heartily support tho unanimous opinion of tho Auckland people in this matter in his capacity as member of the House of Representatives. Mr J. M. Shera, M.H.R., moved, "That tho foregoing resolutions bo transmitted to the Government." Mr W. J. JCapier seconded the resolution, which was carried. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the business of the meeting.