THE THAMES-TE AROHA RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9139, 22 August 1888, Page 5

THE THAMES-TE AROHA RAILWAY.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Thames,- Tuesday. A well-attended meeting of Thames residents was held in St. George's Hall tonight, with a view of protesting against the action of the Government in not putting a sum of money on the Estimates for continuing the Thames-Te Aroha Railway as far as Paeroa, in fulfilment of the promise made by Mr. Mitchelson, Minister of Public Works, to a deputation when he last visited the Thames. The Mayor occupied the chair, and the following resolutions were carried : —"That this meeting learns, with surprise and disappointment, that the promise made by the Minister of Public Works (Mr. Mitchelson) in the month of April last, to a deputation upon the subject ot the ThamesTe Aroha Railway, who waited upon him in the Borough Chambers—namely, that the railway should be at once made as far as Paeroa, will not be fulfilled; and is of opinion that the construction o other lines sanctioned by the Govern ment, which, admittedly, will not pay working expenses, while costing a much greater amount than is required for the construction of the Thames-Te Aroha line, makes the breach of faith now complained of on the part of the Minister inexcusable, as well as impolitic;" " that this line of railway has been under the notice of the Government and Legislature for the last fifteen years ; that it received legislative sanction nearly ten years ago, and the construction of it was commenced nine years ago ; that it is an easy and inexpensive line to make, and will serve the passenger and goods traffic of a population numbering 15,000 persons engaged in mining, in timber cutting, in agriculture, and divers other pursuits, demanding supplies of all kinds, both for trade and personal purposes, and that it would bring the whole of Hauraki Peninsula into connection with the great trunk line, and would thus become an important feeder to it; that in view of the actual importance of the line, and also of the encouragement given to it by so many administrations, and for so long a period of time, it would be only right on the part of the Government to bring the work to a conclusion ; that .the Minister for Public Works be therefore asked to put a sum on the supplementary estimates for that purpose." It was also decided to forward copies of the above resolutions to the Premier for his own information, and as an expression of opinion from Thames residents.