MEETING AT WAKAPUAKA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 129, 3 June 1868, Page 2

MEETING AT WAKAPUAKA.

On Monday evening last, Mr. E. Wastney, M.P.C., met his constituents at the Black Horse Inn, Suburban North, for the purpose of ascertaining from them how far they agreed with him respecting tbe projected railway to the West I Coast. A considerable number of persons were I present, and Mr Pierson was voted iD the chair. | Mr Wastney, in a long and interesting speech, l laid before the meeting the particulars of the j slight action that had been taken by the Governi ment, referred to Mr Wrigg's able report, and '■ urged the necessity of bringing some pressure upon ' tbe powers that be,' in order that their too evident indifference about this matter should no longer exist, but that Mr Wrigg should be authorised to proceed at once to England to endeavor to form a company and obtain the requisite funds for carrying out so highly important a project. Mr Mackay in a lengthy and able speech warmly advocated the same views and ended by proposing the following resolution : — ' That this meeting consider it expedient that his Honor the Superintendent should take the opportunity of engaging the services of Mr H. Wrigg, CE. to proceed with Mr J. Morrison to London with the intention of forming a Joint Stock Company for the purpose of constructing a railway from Nelson to the West Coast. In wliich case it is presumed that Mr Morrison would confine himself entirely to the monetary arrangements of the business, and that Mr Wrigg would be at liberty to devote his time to giving all the requisite information in his particular department wliich the promoters ofthe undertaking may require.' Considerable discussion ensued with reference to a Dry Dock, and a Patent Slip, and some doubts were expressed as to whether .the Superintendent could legally make use of the £12000 at one time set apart towards liquidating the debts of the Province, for any purpose contrary to its original design. Mr^Mackay was in favor of a Patent Slip, and Mr Wastney could not see that a Dry Dock would ever be a remunerative speculation, and thought that while there were so many other public works and |improvements necessary, and demanding immediate attention, it would notbe good policy to expend so large a sum of money as would be absolutely required to form a Dry Dock. Mr A. Collins proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Wastney, to wliich he replied, and thanks having been voted to the chairman, the meeting separated.