OTAGO CENTRAL. RAILWAY.

Cromwell Argus, 2 March 1908, Page 5

OTAGO CENTRAL. RAILWAY.

The following communication was forwarded by Mr C. Ray, secretary of the Bannockburn League, to Mr W. F. Abel, secretary of the Cromwell League, and has been handed to lis for publication : At a meeting of this branch of the Upper Clutha Railway League held on Monday evening last, it was mentioned that there was a feeling being shown in the district that the railway is to stay at Clyde, and that local matters are being more thought about than the main grand object that the various Leagues were formed to advocate.

And with a view to a further effort, especially as there is some doubt about the Prime Minister's visit to the district, it was thought that the Hon. Hall Jones is likely to visit Dunedin within a short time, that he should be written to and asked to let us know the date of his first visit to Dunedin in order that a deputation of one (or more, if convenient) from each branch of the League should proceed as a deputation and urge for a, final answer to our long and earnest appeal for the early continuing of the railway from Clyde to Hawea. At the same time advantage to be taken of an interview with the Prime Minister and the Hon. Minister of Lands, should they together, or individually, visit our district. With this in view, the following resolutions were adopted, and I was instructed to forward a copy to each of the local Leagues, and also to Dunedin League, with a request that you send me an early reply :

" That as the Government has not said no to our representations re the immediate construction of the Otago Central Railway Clyde to Ilawea, that the various local Leagues waken up to their duty.'' " That should the Prime Minister and the Hon. Minister for Lands visit our district that a united eflbit be made to urge the continuance of the line. But as theie is a doubt about their visit taking place that a delegate (or more if convenient) should be appointed by each branch of the Upper Clutha Leagues with the view (after ascertaining the date of the Hon. Hall-Jones' first visit to Dunedin) of proceeding to Dunedin to personally advocate the early construction of the railway to its terminus Hawea, and that it be an instruction to the delegates to insist on a definite reply. With this object in view, this League urge that the railway and the opening up of the lands be their sole object, and that it be understood that anything else be treated as local matters, and only touched upon by local deputations."