NORTHERN RAILWAYS LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 78, 1 April 1892, Page 4

NORTHERN RAILWAYS LEAGUE.

MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS.

A meeting of subscribers to the Northern Railways League was held afc the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon for the purposo ot placing before the subscribers a summary of the work done, and fro consider what course it is desirable to pursue in future. Tho following report was submitted by the Executive : —

The Executive Committee of the Northern Railways* League was appointed on October sth, 1891, and consists of the following gentlemen: — Messrs A. Kidd, C. J. Ilutchiuson, Gerald Peacocke, C. C. McMillan, P. Oliphant, W, Jennings, J. 13. Kussoll, Adam Kelly, and \V. Crowthor. In the six months that havo elapsed since then, your Committee havo dono their utmost with tlio means at their disposal to promote the special objects of the Loajrue. Their efforts have been chiefly directed towards the establishment of communication by land between Auckland and Taratiaki, and the advocacy ot the Stratford as against tho Central route, as the best and most practicable line for ultimate connection by rail with Wellington and other centres of population in the North Island.

In support of their views your Committee have collected much information as to tho comparative estimated cost of tho respective linos, and at their oflico in the Arcade Buildings have displayed largo maps and a tabulated statement showing the expenditure already incurred under tho North Island Main Trunk llaiiv/ay Loan Act, and tho amount of the loan still available for the purposes for which the money was originally borrowed. They have circulated amongst members of I'arliamont a short printed statement ot the objects of the League, and tho facts upon which tho advocutes of the Stratford route iely to secure the support of a majority of the House in favour of reconsidering the question of routes, and submitting the matter to the decision of an impartial tribunal. In order to be furnished with authentic information with regard to the Stratford route, your Cormnitteo organised a party in January last to explore tho lino of country between Kawakawa, a point near Ongaruho, on tho main trunk lino, and Stratford. The report of your Committee's representative on that expedition, Mr H. M. Wilson, (J.E., has been published in tho paper*, and copies of it have been circulated by your Committee throughout Now Zealand. Your Committee believo that tho result of this exploration has materially advanced tht> objects of tho League by removing a misapprehension very generally prevailing a3 to tho character of the country the proposed line would open up, and the engineering difficulties to be met with as compared with tho central route. To still further fortify thomsclvos with cvidenoa as to tho relative merits of the two routes, your Committee again employed Mr Wilson to goover tho central route right through to tho southern boundary 01 tho VVuimarino block, and to report Ihoro* on. This report has also been published in the papers, as well as that of Mr F. La wry, M.H.U., who accompanied Mr Wilson. Deputations from your Committee have waited upon the Premier and the Minister of Lands moro than once to urgo upon tiie Government the formation of a bridle road, to givo overland communication between tho present terminus of tho main trunk line and Taranaki. Your Committee huvo since learnt with satisfaction that as a result of their representations the Government intend to place a sum of from £1-\OOO to £13,000 on the estimates next eeseion for the purpose of constructing this road, which, when it is completed, will erniite a traffic that will go far to promote tho construction ultimately of a railway by this louto. After the return of the tirst exploring party your Commit too called a public meeting, nt which His Worship the Mayor presided, and a eerks of resolutions wero passed without a libsentient voice strongly supporting and endorsing tho views and proceedings of the League. There were no less than seven members of the House of Representatives present at tho meeting, and miwt of them spoke in favour of ilio resolutions passed, which were afterwards duly forwarded to the Premier. Ainung.-t other results of the action of your Committee, may be mentioned the hastening of the letting of a contract for the tirst portion of the section of railway between Mokau and tho i'oio-o-tarao tunnel, and which is now in process of construction. With reward to finance, tho following is a scatonienb of receipts and expenditure up to date :— Kkobxi'Ts. £ s d Subscriptions from members ... 1)9 4 6 Special subscriptions towards expenses of exploratiou 43 13 0 Total H2 17 6 Expenditure. ~£ s d Office rent, commission on subscriptions, and Secretary's galary ••■ ••• 65 310 Expenses of Stratford exploration party ••• 23 1 J1 Expenses of Waimarino exploration party 20 11 1 Office furniture . ■•• 4 3 0 Postages, telegrams, printing, advertising aud sundries ... 20 18 8 Total 133 IS 6 Balance in Bauk S 19 0 Grand total I*2 17 6 Your Committee would submit that, in view of the public interest excited and tho practical results so far achieved by the action of the League, there are fair grounds for claiming from the public further support in the shape of providing the needful funds to carry on the agitation throughout the coming session of Parliament. Your Committee have done their best with the means ab their disposal, their efforts bavin;* been ably seconded by their late secretary, Mr E. Waymouth ; bub if the agitation is to bo carried to a successful issue in tho interests nob only of this city and provincial district, but of the whole colony, further funds will be needed. As showing that your Committee have not been idle, it may be mentioned that they have sent out upwards of 80 letters and 47 telegrams, while they have received frorr members of tho Government and public officials 26 telegrams and 15 letters, and from the public 5 telegrams and -10 letters. They have also held 25 meetings, exclusive of deputations and public meetings.

Captain Edwin reports :— " North to east and eoutheasfc gale with heavy ram after twelve hours from now ; glass further fall."