OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1831, 10 April 1907, Page 61

OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY

CLYDE, April 2. Tire Acting-Premier left- Dunedin this morning, and travelled to Clyde for tbe purpose of opening the new section ox the Otago-Central railway between Alexandra and Clyde. He was accompanied by the Hon. J. A. Millar and several members of the Legislative Council. There was a large crowd waiting *’n the station platform, and speeches were delivered outside the station, the keynote being the demand of the local people that the line should be extended to the Hawea Flat.

In the course of his remarks, Mr Hall-Jones said that it was true that Central Otago had not as good land as that of Canterbury, Southland, and Taranaki; but he would tell them that he thought the line would be extended. He hoped to hear the views of the people of the district, and tire final decision would rest with the Cabinet. Mr Millar said that he had previously expressed his opinion, on the line, holding that irrigation of the district already served was more important than the extension of the line to new districts.

Later on Mr Millar was interviewed by a deputation from the Upper Clutha, demanding the extension of the railway to the Hawea Flat. The chairman of the County Council stated that the Minister had the fate of the district in his hands, as if ibe railway did not go further many settlers must leave their homes. The settlers of Upper Clutha had taken up the land on the understanding that the line would reach them by 1884. Even a temporary stoppage of the line would spell ruin to these men, since they no longer had the trade of Clyde and Alexandra, and could find no other market under existing conditions. Rents paid for pastoral runs in the Hawea district would have paid for the line several times over. The subject was elaborated upon by other speakers at length.

The Minister said that it was not cor. ect to assume that the final decision in the matter rested with him. He had been reminded of promises made by the Government in past days, but could say frankly that he would never be a party to extravagant borrowing. He Tesented a dictatorial tone from any man, and it was obviously absurd for any people to say that he should take up every old promise made by a Government of long past years. The matter would be decided by Cabinet. The Minister and party were subsequently entertained at a banquet. A letter of apology from Mr T. Y. Seddon, M.H.R., for his absence from the ceremony was received by the Otago Central League. It states: — “Your object in pushing on the Central line will ever have my support, and I sincerely look forward to the consummation of . the late Mr Macandrew’s and my father’s scheme of connection by rail between Otago and Westland. Perhaps I may state that I know the country about Clyde, Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, fairly well, having travelled over from Westland, via the Haast Pass, in company with Mr ..Bruce, Mayor of Adelaide. Any assistance I can give ; to push on the project which you; all have so keenly taken up, I will be at any time to render.” '