THE INTERIOR RAILWAY

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 364, 23 June 1877, Page 2

THE INTERIOR RAILWAY

(BY Tkle<;kai'H.) Dunhdin, June 2 Messrs. Macandrew, Stout, llcyn and Brown, M. 11. R. 's., attended Chamber of Commerce conference re ways. The Chairman read the correi dence, which showed that Proudfout Mackay offered to construct the gap the main lines for 15 per cent, a' Brogden's prices for the million cont taking 6 per cent, debentures at pal cash, in payment ; and pledging'-to li the southern section in ten, and northern sections in' nine months from date of the acceptance of tenders. Government, in reply, saw no reason letting the works otherwise than by p» tender. On the subject of branch ways, Mr. Macandrew did not think could be made by the Colony for a ' time. If Otago had been left to dev her owii resources, every main road w have been turned into a railway. Reynolds would not vote for any bri line unless it was clearly shown tha would pay something aboyo working penses, and only some lines in Canterl and Otago did that. He urged the Ch ber to stuJy the inequalities of reprc tation, and to move in that direct Mr. Stout urged an amendment in Railways Act, in reference to the Gov ment when they decided on taking line, giving the constructors soincjl above prime cost. Also in Counties to endowed with land for the purpose making lines within their bounds' Mr. J. C. Brown caused mum lauf by saying that he mainly succeeded getting the Tuapeka line byTniking# gain with the Taranaki meihbers to for the Waitara line, and so getting support. There was a warm pass*#

arms between Mr. j Driver ancl Mr. Macandrew. The former persistently charged the city members with remissness last session, saying it would have been better fur their constituents' interests if they had dealt less with sentiment, and more with practical business. Mr. Ma_andrew replied that tiie charges were without foundation, and said Otago would never get her railways until she got possession of her own again, and hoped this session to produce such a revolution in the political ■wheel as would result in that. He would not sell his vote, even for railways, at the request of any member of the Chamber. The following resolutions were carried : —l. "That this Chamber views with the greatest dissatisfaction the delay on the part of the Government in entering into contracts for the completion of the main trunk line of railway between Waitaki and Invercargill,. and its opinion is that this delay ts most detrimental and contrary to the promises repeatedly made by the Government." 2. "That another communicationfof the opinion of the Chamber be m«de to the Government, and that the members of-Parliament for the city and various districts of Otago be requested to join in urging this matter upon the immediate attention of the Government." 3. " That this Chamber is strongly of opinion that of the various routes proposed for the construction of a line of railway to the interior of Otago, via Strath Taieri presents fewer natural difficulties, and opens out the largest extent of land available for settlement." 4. "That a public meeting should be held for the purpose of sending a deputation to Wellington, to lay the matter before the Government."