RAILWAYS LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 24, 28 January 1921, Page 2

RAILWAYS LEAGUE.

A YEAR'S -WORK. AND FUTURE REQUIREMENTS. The annual meeting of the Auckland Railways and Development League was held yesterday afternoon, Mr. P. E. Cheal presiding. The annual report of the treasurer's report were adopted. The latter showed that while there was a credit on the year's (ended December 31 ) work of l.:;2o' 0/5, a position the treasurer attributed mostly to the liberality of Auckland business people, the amount would be absorbed by the printing bill. The result was that financial assistance was wanted more than ever for the vigorous continuation of the propaganda inaugurated by the chairman. The treasurer also referred to the fact that country subscriptions had dropped during tlie financial year from £103 10/ to £47 15/6. WORK AT HUARAU. The report of the. Commissioner of the League on the work at Haurau shows that it is progressing slowly, though not much was done during the month ended January 26 on account of holidays. Also

want of material is preventing tbe laying of the rails into the Paparoa station, thereby holding back the delivery of equipment for the work in front. So satisfactory progress is prevented. Still, the line is practically ready for plate-laying for nearly a mile beyond the I'aparoa station, and except for one cutting almost to the Wairere tunnel, and a steam navvy is to be set to work there as soon as it can be conveyed there by the engine. Work is to be commenced on tbe approaches to the new tunnel this week, huts for the men and boarding accommodation being now ready. RESOLUTIONS AND REMITS. j Resolutions were passed as follow: — , "That the council of the league 1 express its satisfaction at the appointment of a North Island Minister jof Public Works, and its great pleasure in tlie new era policy of railway construction as recently enunciated ■by tbe Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of ; Public Works." j " That in view of the statement by I the Hon. the Minister of Public Works, I that there is a shortage of man power to carry out the construction of railways and roads in tlie Dominion, that the meeting is of trie opinion that the High Commissioner should .be instructed to send out some shiploads ■of navvies or those who have been used !to excavating." J "That the Hon. the Minister of Public Works be asked to instruct bis Depart- ■ mental officers to report on the question of erecting a power station at the Awaroa State coal area pending the construction of a permanent hydro-electric supply."' "That this meeting is of opinion that it is an urgent necessity, in carrying out a policy of connecting up the disjointed sections of railways, that immediate steps be taken to connect up Whakatane, Matata. by constructing the VVaihiTauranga section, by laying the rails and [ballasting and finishing the line by I works from both ends of this East Coast | Main Trunk railway section."

Remits from the Hobson County I Council arc set out as follows: — | ""That the Government be urged to ; press on with the formation of the Main I" Trunk line from Kirikopuni northwards."' j j ""That the Government be urged to j link up the Kaihu line with the Main 1 ' Trunk line at earliest date possible." j ! Tile following officers were elected: ! President, the Mayor, Mr. .T. H. Gunson le.x-oliicio) ; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. : Coates, G. L. Peaeoekc, and Graves ; Aickin: secretary and treasurer, Mr. R.: R. Hunt; lion, "auditor, Mr. G. C, W. i. Morris: council, town members, Messrs. | S. .1. Amburv, 11. Atkinson, J. M. ■ Caughev. J. \V. Court, T. Coates, F. ' Clark, ii. T. Goldie. G. C. Garli-k, R. R. Hunt, Bart. Kent, T. H. Mackv, David I, Nathan. F. E. Powell, A. Rowlands, H. I C. Tewslev. S. N. Westney, E. S. Wight, I G. H. Wilson, R. H. A. Alexander, F. j C. Ilollett, L. Joll: country members,! Messrs. T de V. Hunt, J. D. McKonzie, Allen Bell, Edwin Harding. A. C. Yarborough, R. G. Cochrane, B. Coleman, • D. Donaldson, R. E. Hornblow.