WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 47, 7 February 1879, Page 2

WEST COAST RAILWAY.

♦ . : MEETING AT SAN-ON. On Tuesday evening, a meeting wan hfld at the Snnson sehooltionse, regarding the Wellington railway* The building was crowded, and nearly all the principal settlers from Bulk and Lower Rangitikei Were present. Mr S; Fasran of Bulls, occupied tho chair. The Chairman said the meeting was to deal with the most important Question, as affecting the interests ( of the district, that hod yet been considered. He might say, on behalf of the Bulls people, that they were using every effort to promote the line to Foxtonjas their own interests were bound up in it. Mr Gower proposed the following resolution : — " That the settlers of the district of Bulls, Sanfion, and Carnarvon, having determined to form a district line of railway between Greatford and Carnarvon Junction, do at this meeting, fully representing the said districts, request the Government to fix the junction of the Wellington line of railway at Foxton in preference to any other point on the Wellington railway." This resolution embraced the interests of the whole district. It proposed to take the line to Foitton, arid so help the Paiison Hue. Their object waa not rivulry with Palmerston, not mere local interests, but the wilfare of the whole length and breadth of Manawatu. They acted on the defensive, not tha offensive. He wished bhis to be made clear,because they had been accused of using wrong means to obtain the line. They could not dictate to the Government where the line should go, but he thought the Ministry and their surveyors Were competent to decide. They wished the Government to have proper data to go upon, so as to see the justice of the request. When the line was first: talked of, Palmerston people wrote and ppoke as if they had an absolute claim to the terminus, but the Foxtoa people mildly asked that a trial survey might be made. Tt was done ; ami when the matter was taken into Parliament it was referred to as the Wellington-Foxton line, this decision being based upon the report of the surveyors. So Boon as Pftlmerstofi knew tho Government were inclined to the Foxton line, an agitation was got up, resulting in a meeting,a deputation, and a petition now in circulation, asking Government to set aside tho resolutions of Parliament. They were therefore compelled to act on the defensive, for after the surveyors' report, the action of Palmerston was offensive. He would refer to some points of local interest, showing the advantages Sandon wonld receive by the lino going to Foxton. First, the local lines from Carnarvon to Sanson, and thence to Dulls, wonld be more easily constructed, as capitalists in the Colony would at once come forward with tho money required by the A3t. A certain amount had to be raised at once, and the district was not large enough to find it. If Foxton were to be the junction ho knew capitalists in "Wellington would at once advance tho money, instead cf having to go the London Stock Exchange. It had even been stated that if the line went to Foxton, a big company was likely to be started to absorb the smaller ones. Second, it would make an outlet for the produce of the Sandon district ; he did not mean mersly by taking it to the port of Foxton, nor on per rail to Wellington, but by using it as a means of supply for the densely-timbered country south of the Manawatu River towards OtaUi. This country would, as a timber-producing district, support thousands of people. Millions of feet of timber could be exported from it, and thero should be an interchange of commodities — Sandou receiving their timber, and giving in return its produce. Even taking Sanson as the centre, they had an immense amount of wealth around them in white pino. A saw mill owner had told him that he had received an order for 500,000 ft of white pine for Christchurch, but could not execute it, owing to thero being no means of transit to Foxton for shipment. That one order represented a loss of £2,000 to the district, valuing it at 8s" per hundred . This would illustrate his remarks regarding south Munawatu, where the htndwas-good, and timber plentiful. He computed there were at least 100,000 acres, a"d the timber represented millions of pounds. A vast population would certainly bo settled upon it,* and their produce should bo snpplied from Sandon until they grew it for themselves. If it went via Pnlmcrston, it would require to perform along unnecessary journey of about 50 miles. Foxton was the natural port for tho soa*h country, but unless the line went there the port would be either Wanganui or Wellington, each 80 miles away. To Foxton would be only B or 9 miles. Tf the railway went to Palmerston, 15 miles of it would be a distiict line. "Why should that be constructed by Government, and the Sandon and Bulls lines be left to private enterprise P Mr Linton said in a letter to the Palmerston paper, the line to Palmerston would drain 30,000 acres of swamp land. That gentleman knew little of swamp draining. (Laughter.) They would need side drains as well as a main. As for the Fitzherbert, the main portion of it had been sold to speculators in Wellington, and it was absurd that 19 people should stand in the way of the progress of this part of the County. Why, then, should a railway be made on the other side of the river when the upper district had one already on this side.? He had always con*, tended for Foxton a3 the district port. It was not so good as it mi^ht be, but where, ever a district had access by sea they always tried to improve it. He quoted an extract from the Manawatu Herald showing the Patea pnper endorsed the idea of tapping the port, and the people of Patea, Oamaru, New Plymouth, and other places were all spending large amounts to improve their shipping accommodation and so promote water carriage. Upper Manawatu alone opposed the progress of its|own port. The reason was because at present Wanganui absorbod their products. But their aotion wasselSsh, as the south country needed Foxton as their outlet. The resolution he now proposed did not dictate to the Government, but was only done to protect their own interests. Mr Lowers seconded the motion. He said if any had come uninterested in the movement, Mr Gower's statement of facts should have worked them up to boiling point. The only wonder was, that thoro was any necessity for such a meeting at all, for it was perfectly monstrous that the Upper district should endeavour to prevent the lino going to Foxton. The Wanganui people had now taken the matter up, and were getting a petition signed in fuvor of Foxton. 'Loud applause.) Mr Gower's motion was put mildly. The old settlers bud a riurht to share in the advantage* of public works, but hitherto the new distticts in Manawatu had been most looke.l after. Bulls was thoroughly alive upon this matter, and they would have themselves to blame if any other part obtained the advantage. Their claims should be brought before the Government and kept beforo ihem. Tho resolution was carried uuauimously . Tho Chairman thanked Mr Gower, on behalf of tae meeting, for the lucid manner in whioh he had brought before them the importance of tho line. If the matter were brought before the Government, they could not but accede to the request. Colonel Gorton, of Bulls, propoted the

jULnfi,,, .^^ljl|_|J__lJ.__U___XJLjaMl-jaiJ^d next resolution, which was as follow*:— " : hat in the opinion of th : s meeting it is exceedingly dositahle that the wmk of forming the Wellington line shflirtA be commenced at tho northern end,. «tfi r "thera Would he. After v few miles or formation hnd been made, a large extent of l ; irid opened up, which would speedily return ft revenue to the line, whereas waiting until the hue wus formed throughout a length of time would elapße, and a large exp c nditnre would be incurred, which the country through which it would puss, could not produce a sufficient traffic to make the came return." He wonld speak to the question from a Colonial point of view. Ttie General Assembly waa Ptrongly in favour of main line"* and e^ cry mile saved was important. The Sandon line wonld save lamiles in the first 120 from Wellington to Auckland. What then, -would bo the advantage in making that to PalmerstonP You would simply make 18 miles of line so as to go 22 miles further. Looking at the saving of time and expense, Palmerston wr aid not have a leg to «tand on. Looking back te 1861 when he landed,he could see a vest improve* inent had been made. Even in 1868, when he rode through the fern in Patea \ district, he had no idea that part of the colony would grow' so fast. If the past bad witnessed such rapid progress, the future would show still greater. The vast timber trade shadowed forth by Mr Gower would be realised. Canterbury was entirely destitute of it,and ajlarge portion of their supplies were derived from Hokitika. When the conntiy south of the Manawatu was opened, the Middle Island would gladly receive the whole of the timber. He could testify to the vast improvement Oamaru had raada since the harbor works Were established. From * purely Colonial point of view, he heartily supported the Foxton junction. Mr Thynne seconded the resolution. Mr Gowef pointed out that Colonel Gorton had shown clearly the great benefits Oamaru received from the harbor works. Yet some people in the Upper District said to have a railway to Foxton wonld kill it ! He had been assured by a genlleman that directly the railway was a few miles out of Foxton, it would begin io tap good country and bring in an immediate return. Mr Loudon said the question of cost appeared to have been overlooked. If the line was constructed to Falmerston, Upper * Manawatu would have two lines, one on aacb side of the river ,nnd a sum of £232,000 would be spent utterly •onecessarily. He thought th« Makurerua Swamp should be estimated at 70,000 acres, instead of 30,000. The line to Foxton would be shorter, cheap- . or and better than its rival. The meeting had good reasons for urging the Government to push on at once. Mr Thynne said they were simply asking that the line might be begun at this end. They did not wish to bias the Government, but wanted them, whether it started from Foxton or Palmerston, to begin it at once, because it wonld bring in an immediate re* turn. They did not wish to delay the line at the Wellington end, but to have the two portions going on simultaneously. From a pecuniary point of view, this would be tha best cjmrse to adopt, as almost directly the line, left Foxton it would enter a timber country. A sawmill was just now in course of erection up the Manawatu Biver. During the last few weeks he had been visiting the southern district on Land Tax business, and he had been assured \j a gentleman in a position to know, that the whole pick of the land was in the hands of^ the Government, who owned nearly ell tßff bush country about the Ohau." They were not asking the Government to make a long length of line, nor to go out of their way. They wanted them to make about 8 miles, from the Piaka to Foxton, and were willing to make the lino to Greatford them* selves. He diJ not think the Palmerston people wouldjjdo the same thing. Air M'Kenzie said they were taking action owing to the efforts of the people in the Upper District, which they desired to counteract. It was possiblo the main trunk line would strike neither Great ford nor Wanganui. If it went through the Murimotu country, and on to Taupo, perhaps Feilding would be the best place for the junotion. Mr Tompkins proposed na an amendment; that instead of the words " the northern end," there should be inserted " Foxton." (Applause.) He said they meant this, and it was far better to say so. They did not want to beat about the bush, or ask i« a half-hearted way, as if Palmerston had a claim of somo kind to bo made the junction. They' had no claim whatever, and should bo treated from that position. Mr Loidon, in seconding the amendment, pointed out that by the line via Foxton the freight charges would be materially rednced. This would be a large item for importers in a year. Mr Lewers agreed with the amendment. In this matter thoy should be distinct and clear in their request. He laid great emphasis on Colonel Gorton's remarks regarding the saving of the main lino. And after all, they wore only asking the Government to make 8 miles. Opposition from the Upper District came with very bad grace. Mr M'Kenzie thought the amendment unnecessary, as the first resolution asked the Government to fix the line at Foxton. Mr Gower, in supporting the amendment, pointed out that there oculd bo no trade between Feilding, Palmerslon, and the south Manawatu. They could only furnish tike latter with sawdust. (Laughter.) Mr Thynne opposed the amendment. They bhould keep to their original intention, and not try to bias the Government. Mr Prio/ said that having asked the Government in tho first resolution to fix the junction at Palmerston, it was the n.ost natural thine to aek them to begin it there. The amendment was carried, only one gentlcn.an (Mr M'Kenzie) voting against it. Mr Prior proposed, " That tho resolutions, accompanied by a report of the meeting, be forwarded to the Government." He said the arguments in their favor were conclusive and self-evident, and they had met that evening only to counteract the efforts of the Palmnraton people, who were trying to ta'ce our line, whilst having one of their own. A petition was being carried round in Peilding n : ght and day, but he had not been able to see it. Ho had a counter petition with him, setting forth tho claims of the Lower District, which he hoped all present would sign. Mr Stevens, in seconding the resolution, said ho waa not perhaps bo conversant with the whole question as some who had ad« dressed them, but he would Bay no. single township could influence the Government where the nitiin lino Was concerned, and they might rest assured that as tho best interests of tho colony would be conserved by tho line going to Jboxton,the Government would fix the junction there. Tho Murimotu line idea was an absurd one. Tho object of the Government was to settlo the native difficulty by making railways through tho disturbed country. Tho natives in the Murimctu-Taupo country were friendly, and the counUy was undisturbed, but between Mokau and Wuiknto was the very centre of the King Country, and it was essential to the peace of the country thnt tho line through thero should he dona at onco to Bet tie the native difficulty. Ho thought aho the oldsettled districts should be assisted by the Government. Phlmeraton was quite right from a seifisa point of view, in asking for the junotion, but whilst the Ministry were men who studied the intejtfste of the country,

ttare was no probability of their request .being granted. A^Mr Monroe.of Bulls, thought the Govern.\ii*eut hud never seriously contemplated taking the line anywhore but. to Foxton Every right thinking' n>an from I'nikukuviki to "Wangawu would vot&for the port. The resolution was carried. In reply to Mr Lowers, Mr Tompkiiis stated the people of Sarrlon hail not contemplated sending a «ieputa f ion to Wellington. They did not think it necessary. This Mmcluded the business regarding the Wellington railway. SANDONOHTLLS BAfLWAT. MrMoKenzie urged the importance of the line being carried through to Bulls as soon «b possible, and to prevent future com* plications proposed, "That it is desirable the line should ultimately go to Greatford, and it is therefore advisable • a survey be made between Samson and Bulls, with a view to fixing the site of the Sanson station at the most convenient point for the . through line." Mr Gower seconded. Mr Prior said the Sandon Company had permission from the County Council to form the line to the river, and also had the power expressed In their articles of association. Mr Tompkins urged that they should keep to the one thing for the present. Mr Monroe advised the Sandon people to insist on their station being in the town, and noc like that at Marton, right away from the place. Ihe resolution was carried. Mr Rock el expressed his great pleasure at seeing the spirit of unanimity displayed between the different townships that night. He proposed " That a committee be formed coußistinfc of Messrs Farmer, McKenzie, Gower, McLean, Sanson, and the mover, to urge the Government to have tho survey in question made, and to take the necessary steps to havo it done, should they decline to do so." Seconded by Mr McKenzie, and carried. The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.