OTAGO CENTRAL EAILWAY LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10901, 7 September 1897, Page 3

OTAGO CENTRAL EAILWAY LEAGUE.

The usual monthly meeting of the executive of the Otago Central Railway League was held last evening, and atteaded by Messrs W. Barron (in the chair), G. L. Denniston, A. C. Stronach, T. K. Harty, J. Jolly jun., W. T. Talboys, A. Sligo, James Hazletc, and John Carroll. An apoiogy was received from Mr C. S. Reeres, who was abientfrom town. CORHESPOJTDENCE. Letters were read from locil bodis3 and others acknowledging racsipt of petition forms, and promising to obtain signatures. Amongst the correspondence were the following, which it was considered contained points of importance:— Mr B. Naylor (of Clyde) wrote as follows : — Clyde, 16th August, 1897. Dear Sir, —Your circular, together with 20 reasons why the Otago Central railway should be pushed on, came duly to hand, aud I have much pleasure in stating that I shall only bs too happy | to assist you in every possible way, so kindly send me form of patitioas for this part and I will get it duly signed as soon as postible. . I think another reason should be added, which is simply thi3: Central Ocago is a timberless part of Ocago, and timbsr is very much required, both for mining and farming, 4c. For your informatiou, 1 will just point out to you how we are at a disadvantage in that respect. I can get .a railway truck load of rough timber at Invercirgill for £6. Railage of same to Lawrence, togechsr with cartage to Clyde par waggon, costs £18. That ia about how it works out; so at Invercargill they get for £5 what we pay £21 for. Mr William Lsask (of Ophir) wrote ■as fol? lows :— Your handbill re railway to hand. I shall be most happy to assist you in any way as far as I can in getcing signatures for petition. lam sure everybody iv our district is most anxious to see the railway brought along at a much more rapid rate than it has been iv the past. The 20 good reasons you give are quite good enough to show that the line should not be delayed as in the past. If it was required I think 2!) more good reasons could be giveu. For instauce, the rabbit past; nothing will defeat them like close settlement. They-are a terrible scourge to this district: The Government does not have the slightest idea what tbey will cost the Crown. Thirty-four years ago land tuat would run six sheep to the acre would not run half a sheep now. Why don't .they settle the people on the land instead of rabbits? I know men, good men, too, who tried to get a few acres to make a home of and have failed time after time. It is high time we had the railway—high time the land was thrown open to the people. Wishing you every success. •'

In a further letter to a member of ths leigae Mr Leask says :—

lam very glad that you are aliva to the fact that the railway would both benefit town and country to a very great extent. In fact the ■ country, especially up in this part, will get abandoned if we don't get an outlet for our produce. When the crops are good, there is no sale for them. This to a great extent made the fanner go out of cropping,ao that when a poor year overtakes us we have not the amount of btuif to fall back on as we uf>ed to have. I dare say you remembar the time when you could count stacks upon stacks of grain standing from year to year because there was no market to dispose of it in, so that I think everybody up here would like" to see the line pushed, on as quickly as possible. THE PETITION. It was resolved to request city, couaty, and borough councils, Chamber of Commerce, A. and P. Association, Trade ana1 L*baur Council, and other public organisations to forward petitions in favour of the railway as' from thaic chairmen and under their seal. Copie! of petition were ordered to be left for signature at several places named: A CONFERENCE. • . On the motion of .Mr Harts:, seconded by Mr Talboys, it was unanimously resolved—" That the city and suburbau members of the House of Representatives, and as many representatives of country districts as can make ie couyauient, be requested to meet the executive of the Ileagae, before the ensuing meeting of Parliament, to discuss and to advise as to the position of the Ofcago- Central railway; such meeting to be held on Friday, the 17ch inst., or on such other day. as the chairxau may find .to be more convenient." , This concluded the business.