KING COUNTRY NEEDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 208, 31 August 1920, Page 7

KING COUNTRY NEEDS.

RAILWAY LEAGUE FORMED. DISSATISFACTION WITH AUCKLAND. (Special to "Star.") TAUMARUNUI, Monday. The local delegates to the Auckland Railway and Development League are apparently so dissatisfied with the. lack of interest shown by that body in tbe speedy completion of the StratfordOkahukura railway that a definite break with the Auckland League has eventuated. Ohura settlors were the first to move in the matter, while the Taumarunui Borough Council felt the need of a round table discussion on the whole question, and called a conference, which was held under the chairmanship of the Mayor (Mr. G. L Steadman) on Saturday evening last. The gathering was most representative, and the following delegates attended: Messrs. W. H. Fletcher and M. Dunne (Taumarunui Borough Council). L. 8- Ford (Kaitieke County Council), E. Sowry and G. Deni--on (Ohura County Council), F. Carroll (Manunui Town Board), W. H. Wack-j row and G. A. Stanton (Taumarunui Chamber of Commerce). J. I. Monfries and J. Coogan (West Taupo Settlers' Association), A. Leese (Town Clerk, acting as secretary pro tern). An apology was received from Mr. Goldfinch (Ohakune Borough Council). On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Wackrow, it was resolved: "Tfiat a King Country Railway and Development League be formed." It was decided to make the railway named the first objective, with the completion of the Auckland to Wellington national highway as a secondary consideration The setting up of the executive was decided upon, and one representative from each local body, with the Mayor a* chairman, was appointed, the name of Mr. G. A. Stanton (chairman of directors of the Kaitieke Dairy Company) being added. It was further decided to frame a set of rules based upon those of kindred associations, and to meet a fortnight hence at the Council Chambers. The tenor of the whole discussion showed great dissatisfaction with the methods of tlie Auckland League, one delegate stating that at each annual meeting he had attended the election of, officers did not take place, but the executive and officers were announced as hay- • ing been already elected. Mr. G. Denison stated that although they had a deputation about the bridge at Okahukura the results were vague and unsatisfactory. H»w much longer would they have to wait for the line to get to Matiere if the bridge was only to •be completed in June o' next year? The public had been under the impression that the Okahukura bridge and tunn.l were the 6ole obstacles to the line being completed to Matiere, but despite the fact that tbe tunnel would be done in two months, and then there would be a straight run to the brick kiln, between the kiln and Matiere there were foulmore bridges to be erected of the same dimensions as the one at Okahukura. As yet no move had been made for their erection, and it behoved them to agitate for tenders to be called immediately and the work put in hand. There were not enough rails in the district to lay 1 half a mile of metal, and he moved that! the Minister of Public Works be written to and asked his intentions respecting these bridges. Mr. Fletcher seconded, and tbe resolution was carried. The, meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.