MAHURANGI AND PORT ALBERT RAILWAY. MEMORIAL TO THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 4147, 28 November 1870, Page 3

MAHURANGI AND PORT ALBERT RAILWAY. MEMORIAL TO THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

A wELL-attemled meeting, convened by public advertisement, was held in the chajM, Port Albert, on the 21afc instant, to consider certain propositions relative to the Mahurangi and Porfc Albert railway. Mr. J. Collmge, who was voted in the chair, gave an account of the movement in favour of the above suggested line of railway, as against the one between Riverhead arid Helensville, and stated that Mr. O'Neill, the Engineerin- Chief, and Mr. Denham, the surveyor, together with Mr. XJtting, had traversed the whole of the country between Mahurangi and Porfc Albert, and reported that they had found the land north of the former place, for' some 12 miles, nearly level, and the remainder of the distance presented noegineering difficulties whatever of any importance. Mr. O'Neill estimated the entire distance at 24 miles. Mr. Denham was confident he could find a practicable route under 20 miles. The chairman further said that the settlers at Mahurangi had drawn up a declaration pledging themselves to give whatever land may be needed for railway purposes, and it was for those present to consider whether they would do the same or not. — After some little discussion the following was adopted and signed by all present, arrangements being made for canvassing the entire district : — ' ' To the honourable the Provincial Council of the province of Auckland, in session assembled. — We, the undersigned settlers and landowners in and around Port Albert, having heard that the professed line of railway between Mahurangi and Port Albert is declared to be practicable, hereby pledge ourselves to give any portions of our lands through which the said line of railway may be required to pass." — In order to meet the objection of the extra expense of the Mahurangi line, through its being from four to seven miles longer than that to Helensville, the following was also unanimously adopted and signed by those present : " We, the undersigned settlers of the Oruawharo, are so impressed with the advantages which will arise from the proposed imebetweenPort Albert and Mahurangi, that we hereby suggest that the whole of the district of Rodney be called upon to guarantee six per cent, interest for a term of years upon the cost of every mile over and above the length of the proposed line from Helensville to Riyerhead, provided the cost per mile is at a fair average rate." This and the -preceding memorial to be forwarded to J. Shepherd, Esq., M.P.C., to be laid before the Provincial Council Railway Committee. — The JRev. Mr. Worker then animadverted in severe terms on the uncandid treatment the deputation appointed at a previous meeting to visit the Otamatea, &0., had met with at the hands of oertain parties in that locality, it being only by positive unfairness and trickery that they were hindered from obtaining a' fair hearing. They were thus necessitated to proceed to the Paparoa and call the settlers together on a ahort notice, in order to lay the merits of the soheme before them, and get an expression of opinion thereon, no other course being open to them.— [Own Correspondent.]