RAILWAYS BOARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 7 August 1931, Page 5

RAILWAYS BOARD

VISIT TO NELSON

SHOWING MEMBERS THE DISTRICT The itinerary of the Railways Board which is to visit Nelson this month to inspect the railway was received by tha City Council last evening from the Hon. 11. Atmore. The Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffatt) said councillors would probably have noted - the criticism of the recent meeting of the Progress League. 110 would like to say - that in view of the correspondence in, the press and certain misrepresentations nxado against the League, that the letter from the Railways Board did not come forward until after the meeting had been held. But anticipating the matter, the League decided to get all the data ready by the time such notice was received. From the letter just l’eceived, continued the Mayor, it would appear that the Board was coming, and that it did not want to hear anything from anybody; and any representations were to bo made in writing and fonvarded to Wellington. There was nothing to indicate that the Board was to hold meetings, or that anyone was to guide the visitors through the district. Reference •• was made to the visit of the Canter-.,, bury Progress League’s representatives' some years ago, when only a cursory ex-. donation of the district was made. Representations should be made with a view to guides accompanying the Rail- ' ways Board, and pointing out the possibilities of the areas that would benefit by the completion of the railway. That being so, he hardly knew how to approach the Board. It was inconceivable for tho Boai’d to go through the district, find simply pass by the valleys that would feed the line. Ho was certainly j of opinion that representatives of tho' League should accompany the Board on Its tour. *

Councillor Gibbs said the executive committee of the Leaguo was drawing '77 up a very comprehensive report. It was stated at Gisborne that the weather was 7. so bad at the time of the visit of the Board that members of local bodies were unable to accompany the Board round. Councillor Gibbs moved that it be left to the Mayor and the chairman of. the , ’ Waimea Council to interview the Board on arrival, and take such steps as deem- .7,7 cd advisable. To miss such an oppor- •- (.unity of accompanying the Board and pointing out the advantages of the line would be a tenable mistake.

Councillor Watson, in seconding the motion, agreed with the remarks 'of the Mayor concerning tho visit of the Canterbury League’s representatives. All they had done was to keep to the main route of the line, until representations were made to them, when they inspected one or two of the valleys. If the Board kept to the main, road it would go away with the same impression as the Canterbury Leaguo, The Canterbury League, even after sucli a hurried inspection, had said it. would be quite prepared to advocate the construction of tho line to Murchison. As one thoroughly acquainted with the country, Councillor ' Watson recalled that in 1872 26 tons of potatoes to the acre had been : taken off land in the val- • leys, ns well as 80 bushels of oats to the acre. The district was noted for . its root crops, and the Board should bq,(| made acquainted with the' possibilities of the several valleys that would feed”' the line. ' '<■?

Councillor Wiishbourn said some effort should bo made to get the Board to spend some time in the district. Nothing would be more futile than for tho Board to simply go over the road at the present time.

The Mayor said he would like the Board to see the other side of the district. , .

Councillor Washbourn remarked that the fruit industry would have an important bearing on the line.. Councillor Black endorsed the remarks made. The Council would be lacking in * its duty if it did not make a strong protest. Simply going through the main route of the railway without an opportunity of seeing the fertility of the country would he futile. The Board ■ should he: impressed with the desirability of finishing the line. The Mayor: “It is a pity we cannot reproduce gramophouo records of the re- • marks of the late Sir Joseph Ward.” Councillor Moynagh said he would repeat his provious comment, that the line - would not pay axle grease. He wished to dissociate himself from tho motion. Councillor Black: “Give your rea- _ sons.” ;• ■ Councillor Huggins said that whether : anyone was in favour of the railway being completed or not, the Board should be shown the district. .Councillor Neale remarked that the ■ emergency committee of the League had been working on the matter. A report had been drawn up and was now in >• print. The Board had already agreed to " receive representations on its return to Wellington.

The Mayor, referring to Councillor Moynagh’s remarks, said the Council was simply putting- a resolution through asking that information be given to tho Board. Surely Councillor Moynagh - would not object tp that. . Councillor' Moynagh replied in the V; negative. Let the Board go through,. and they would see that the line should, ,' not be completed. • - ‘ The motion was then put and carried.