KAWAKAWA AND KAMO TRAMWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8270, 31 May 1890, Page 5

KAWAKAWA AND KAMO TRAMWAY.

The visit of the Engineer-in-Chief, Mr. Blair, accompanied with Messrs. Hales and Vickerman, in order to go over the proposed lines of railway, or tramway, as the case may be, between Kawakawa and Whangarei, caused considerable excitement, and on Tuesday last it appears that a telegram had been sent to our local journal of the intended visit, but when the usual train arrived there was no sign of tho party. It was soon, however, discovered that, owing to the delay of tho Clansman at Russell, instead of at once proceeding to Opua to discharge her cargo and to load, the little steamer Ida was despatched to Opua, As this caused considerable inconvenience to the passengers, as well as expense, many preferred to remain with the largo steamer, and as this was the first visit of the En-gincer-in-Chief, ho remained with the Clansman for the purpose of seeing Russell, and so missed tho only forenoon train to Kawakawa. However, through tho attention of the railway authorities and the manager, Mr. Harris, the "jigger" used on the line was at hand, and tho party at once conveyed to Kawakawa, after having made a full inspection of the Opua Wharf and its capabilities. The stay of tho party was very short, but there was time for an interview, ami Mr. Vickerman's plans of the route, made eleven years ago, were inspected, by which it appears the line from Kamo to Kawakawa can bo constructed without any engineering difficulties for '20 miles, not touching on the Puhipuhi Forest though passing contiguous to it, with easy grade through it by tram linos to the main line. The advisability to take immediate steps to ventilate the subject by having a general and influential meeting of the country settlers was determined on at a preliminary meeting held that evening, attended by the principal settlers and business - men in Kawakawa. The manager of the mines was expected to preside, but being detained by press of business, he sent a note to the convener of the meeting, Mr. McKonzio, stating his willingness to assist the movement in every way, and promising to preside at a general meeting if such were agreed on. He also stated his belief of the very great desirability and importance of a through line to Kawakawa. According to Mr. Vickerman's survey, from a geological point of view, the lino would, in its course, pass over a country where coal in vast quantity and of easy extraction was well known to exist. The deep Water facilities, second to none in the colony, were also particularly noted and spoken of by Mr. Blair after his inspection. At this meeting an active committee was appointed, consisting of tho Hon. Henry Williams, Chairman of the County Council, Messrs. L. Williams, Ward, and J. A. L. Hall, County Councillors, Messrs. T. P. Moody, J. R. Reed, D. Kirkpatrick, J. Black, John Keatley, and Francis MoKcnzie. The latter gentleman read a telegram he had sent to Mr. Hobbs, M.H.R., requesting bis presence at a genoral meeting to be held in the Public Hall, Kawakawa, on the 3rd June, to which he had received the following reply: — " Pokeno, May 23. To F. McKonzie, Esq. —Will bo present at the meeting as requested.—R. Hobbs."