AUCKLAND AND TUB TRADE OF THE WAIMATE PLAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6669, 3 April 1883, Page 5

AUCKLAND AND TUB TRADE OF THE WAIMATE PLAINS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—P2ESS ■ ASSOCIATION.] Wellisgtos', Monday, Allusion" was made in the annual report ef the Chamber of Commerce to the construction of a length of railway between Manutahi and Hawera, a work of great importance -to Wellington. It was pointed out that although the vote for this work had been passed on the estimates last session, no real progress had been madeuptothepresent. The delay in the matter had been productive of considerable los 3 to the mercantile community of Wellington, and the committee trunted that pressure would be brought upon the Government so that the contract might be put in hand forthwith, and actual progress made with the work. An animated discussion ensued, and Mr. K. McDonald stated that the stream of trado which existed between this city and the district known as the Wairaate Plains, had been diverted to a largo extent to Auckland, in consequence of the failure to go on with the lino of railway from Waverly to Hawera. Ho trusted bhe Chamber would see fit to pass a resolution with the view of expediting the work. Mr. Levin, M.H.R., said, regardiuc; tho line in question, tenders had just been invited for the heaviest portion of tho unfinished line, and tenders would be invited for the remaining link as soon as the surveys were complete. He fully believed that before the Chamber mot that time next year the line would be ai close upon being opened as it could be. Dr. Nowman contradicted Mr. McDonald's statement about the trade of the Waiiratc Plains going to Auckland, and demuired to the assertion that the trade of Wellington wr.s in any single quarter decreasing. On the contrary, Wellington had extended its borders of tiaJe enormously during the p.'. ;- few years. Mr. J. Duthio dissented from Dr. Nevnnau. on this point, and kueiv for a fact that twothirds of the trade in the district referred.to was being done by Auckland, through the delay in the construction of the railway.