BALCLUTHA-TUAPEKA MOOTS RAILWAY

Evening Star, Issue 16991, 13 March 1919, Page 6

BALCLUTHA-TUAPEKA MOOTS RAILWAY

CONTROVERSY OVER ROUTE. A meeting convened by the Mayor of Balchitha, r.t the request of the Tuapeka Mouth-8.-Idutha Railway League, to urge upon the Government to immediately proceed with the turning of the first sod of the railway from Balclutha to Tuapeka Mouth, was held in the Borough Chambers on Friday afternoon. The attendance (says the ‘Balclutha Free Press’) numbered 50, of whom upwards of 30 were settlers from Hillend, Slonov Creek, CTydevale, and Pomahaka Downs come te advocate a different houtc—viz., from I<ovell’s Flat through to Clydovale, and thence to the Burning Plains at Pomahaka Downs. The presence of so many opponents of the Tuapeka- Balclutha route nearly wrecked the meeting, and led to an adjournment, each faction finishing its business in separate rooms. The Otago Expansion League had promised to send a delegation, but Mr S. B- Macdonald was the only member able to make the trip. The Chairman (Mr P. MTnensey, president of the Tuapeka Mouth League), said the Tuapeka Mouth League, assisted by the league formerly existing in Balchitha. had agitated, for this lino for a number of years, and they had been successful in getting it authorised and £IO,OOO placed on the Estimates for it. Unfortunately war broke out just when there was a chance of getting a commencement, made with the work of construction, and as the league did not wish to embarrass the Government in any way the matter was not pushed. However, they were in a different position today, As regards the need for such a line he need only say that any member of Parliament who had seen the country had said it was a shame to see the Valley without- a railway. The railway, he was convinced. would prove a great national aeftet. Mr M’N'eil (Mayor) moved —“That this meeting of delegates of Clutha Valley strongly urge upon the Government, the urgent necessity of immediately complying with the terms of the Authorisation Bill by having the first sod of the Balclutha-Tua-poka Mouth Railway turned.’’ Mr John Edio (Lawrence) seconded the motion. It would also be one of the most payable linos. A week ago. when the Minister of Lands was in Lawrence, lie (the speaker) had invited him to go over a portion of the route, and he had said ha was more than satisfied, and also expressed surprise that a district like that should have been so long without a railway to get its produce to market. At this stage Mr White (secretary of the Hillend Railway League, who want the line to follow c route from Lovell’s Flat to Pomahaka Downs, passing some miles this side of Tuapeka Mouth) said ho wished to move an amendment. The Chairman said he must refuse any motion relative to a new route, and read the advertisement calling the meeting, adding: “If you want a meeting for that you meat have it on your own. This meeting was called for a specific purpose.’’ Mr White: I join issue with you. “Settlers ir.y rested ” are specially mentioned in the advertisement. The Chairman : This meeting is for the Balclutha-Tuapeka (Mouth Railway—none other. Mr White : No such railway has been authorised. The Chairman : Yes it has. and £IO,OOO was placed cm the Estimates for it a few years ago. Mr White ; We’ve a strong petition to the Minister of Public Works asking that the line go through Hillend district, which will tap 15,000 to 20,00(0 more acres of productive land than the route up the river, and in addition cur mute will tap across the river on the Clydevale side 100,000 acres, and one of the most productive districts in Otago. We don't want a resolution passed which is going to create .a false impression. ’We simply want support for the Qlutha Valley railway, and the route that it ia to take has not been decided yet, and until it is I must- protest. After a lively discussion, in which a number of those present took part, the chairman said : 1 adjourn this meeting till further notice. Uproar followed, and amid a scene of confusion tiro Tuapeka Mouth delegates accompanied by the Mayor- and a few other supporters of the original route, filed from the room. The “ Opposition ’’ sat tight, and kept with them (Mr Macdonald, the Expansion League delegate. .Mr Macdonald said the Otago Expansion League were out to further the progress of Otago to the utmost. But with two rival 'factions wanting different routes, the League could do nothing te help. The day, however, when they came to an agreement, then the League would support the chosen route wholeheartedly. Mr O'verton : Would the Expansion League be willing to cume out and see tho country? We can place plenty of cars at your disposal. What we want is to put the railway in the right place. Mr Macdonald said ho had pleasure in accepting the invitation on behalf of the League, and said he would like to point out that after the next .General Election the North Island would have 14 more representatives than the South, and as long as Otago was divided against itself the North was going to forge ahead still more. The only course for Otago people was to sink their differences, decide what they wanted in the wav of public works, and combine to get them. At present the North Island was progressing to the detriment of the South. Speaking in tho interests of Otago, ho would ask them to effect a compromise over this question of route, and then they could go to the Government and say, “ We want- ft to start her© and end there.” Mr Aide supported Mr Macdonald in advocating the need for unity if they did not intend to go on “ploying the politicians’ game." At this stage it transpired that tho Tuapeka Mouth League were meeting in, tho adjoining room, and Mr Alg’a was deputed' t.o try and bring about a compromise between the two parties, but without success. Mr White, in moving a vote of thanks to Mv Macdonald', said they had it from the Acting Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works (Sir Win, Fraser) that no agreement as to the three routes had been reached by the Government. His (the speaker’s) opinion was that the one they advocated via Hillend would prove a national asset, whereas the others were suggested by mere self-interest. The motion was .carried by acclamation, and the gathering broke up. TUAPEKA- MOUTH DELEGATES ACT. Meantime the Tuapeka Mouth delegates and their Bid clutha supporters had strategically resumed their interrupted meeting in 'the adjoining council room, when it was decided that the secretary- write to Sir James Allen conveying the resolution moved at tho start of the proceedings, which was now carried by the smaller meeting unanimously, and also write to Mr (Malcolm, M.P. ’ for Glutha, thanking him for his whole-hearted support of the line. It was also decided that a deputation ■wait on tho Acting Prime Minister nt Lawrence next day and urge that the first sod of the line l>e turned as soon as possible. Mr Macdonald (the Expansion League representative), who had now entered tho meeting, said that aa far as tire Expansion League were concerned they were out to secure the prosperity of Otago, and to see that Otago was heard in the future in Wellington as it had not been heard in the past. They had recently altered tho constitution of'the league, and tho rural districts had a greater representation than the city. Branches were being formed throughout Otago with a view to exerting combined pressure on the Government. As regards this Valley railway, it seemed to him tho Government were simply playing off one party against tho other. Would it not be possible to effect a compromise?