Hawea Branch Upper Clutha Railway and Progressive League.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1987, 7 May 1906, Page 5

Hawea Branch Upper Clutha Railway and Progressive League.

The monthly meeting of the committee of the above League was held at the Schoolhouse, Hawea Flat, on the 24th ult., a fair attendance of members being present. The Chairman (Mr John Kane) presided. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and confirmed on the motion of Mr Allison, seconded by Mr Haugh. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Secretary Cromwell League, covering a copy of a letter from the Public Works Department.— Received. Mr John Sheehy reported on the progress of the line as follows: The formation works between Chatto Creek Bridge and the Manor-burn viaduct are now about complete. The ballasting between Omakau and Chatto Creek is also well forward. There are one or two rock cuttings on Tiger Hill still in a state of progress, but these will be finished before the rails and ballast train will have come up. The formation between Clyde and Alexandra is complete with the exception of the erection of the viaduct at Muttontown Gully. No steps have been taken with the erection of railway buildings at Clyde, and seeing Ave are promised the complete construction of the line to here within ten months, the delay in regard to the necessary buildings is somewhat mystifying. I am reliably informed that the extension beyond Clyde is to be undertaken at once. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Sheehy for his report. Mr Kingan wished to refer to tire opinion expressed by Mr Millar, M.H.R., at the last meeting of the Otago Central Raihvay League to the effect “ there was nothing te justify the construction of tire line beyond Clyde.” He thought Mr Millar must be quite ignorant of the resources of the Upper Clutha Valley; otherwise he would not have given utterance to such a statement. He questioned very much if Mr Millar ever traversed the country on the route of the Hue above Cromwell to obtain any knowledge of it. He thought it a good idea if any members from the Upper Clutha Leagues were attending the Winter Show that they should make it their business to also attend tire meeting of the Otago Central RailAvay League, Avhiclx Aveuld be held about the same time, and endeavor to controvert the fallacious statements made about tire line. He would move that tire Secretary Avrite to the various Leagues suggesting that any members attending the Winter Slioav, should take th® opportunity of attending the meeting of the Otago Central Railway League, Avhich will be held about the tame time, as representatives from the Upper Clutha Leagues. This Avas seconded by Mr A. Hansen, and carried. Mr A. Hansen said that at the

present time there was n» Justice of the Peace resident in the Uawea district, which was a matter of much inconvenience. He moved that the Hon. the Minister of Justice be asked to appoint Mr M. Allison, Hawea Flat, and Mr \V, Kingan, Maungawera, as Justices of the Peace. This was seconded by Mr F, Codings, and carried. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.