CATLINS RAILWAY LINE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13890, 30 April 1907, Page 3

CATLINS RAILWAY LINE.

PROPOSED VISIT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER.

A special meeting of tlio executivo of the Catlins-Tahakopa Railway Lcaguo was jeld vestorday afternoon, there being prc:bnt Mossrs 11. Chisholm (in (ho chiir), I*. Fenwick, J. 15. Waters (secretary), J. F. Arnold. M.H.K., T. IC. Sidey, M.H.R., and A. S. Malcolm, M.H.R. An apoloary was received from Mr T. Mackenzie, H.H.R., for absence. The Chairman said (ho meeting bad been convened partly at the request- of Mr Malcolm, (ho member for Clutlm, who hud been in communication with Acting Frimo Minister as to his paying a visit to the Catlins district during (ho criming month.

Mr Malcolm said when lie rend of tho proceedings at the opening of tho lino to Clyde> and saw that the Minister had been impressed as to tho continuance of the Oltvgo Central line lie had thought, while he was not in opoositiou to the extension of (lie lino beyond Clvde, -that, soeinfi: the amount to be expended on public works was limited, it wouW be beneficial to cot. the Minister to visit Catlins. lie had urged the Minister to take a trip through the Catlins district, 'lx'foro tlio winter really Bet in m order that lie might soo the necessity for advancing tlio line there, and was. to advise- the Minister at the end of Iho month in tlio matter. Thev had spoken of his making a visit the first fortnight in Mav. Mr Arnold said the Minister would not be here More tlio 12th May. The v-'osi-tion of the Catlins lino -was that from CatliiK the whole of the formation workhad been completed to Houipana—a matter of two and u-half miles, -where the next fltaiion was to be—and the metalling would be commenced alcut next- week. Tlio bridge was nearly completed. Tliorc was <t long iron span of 120 ft, and this work was musing a »litllo delay, but it was nearly completed now. That was the end of (ho line as far as it was authorised. Eo it was not only a question of petting a larjio vote placed upon the Estimates, but a question of further authorisation, and lie thought tlio league should consider how much of tho line it was going to urge the Minister to further authorise. They should urge the authorisation of the line right through to the Tahakopa YaJley. and the immediate construction to Table Hill, and that a sufficient number of hands shrould be put 011 to coinpleto the line in a reasonable timo to Tablo Ilill,

Mr Malcolm suggested they .should uiro its completion within the venv.

Mr Sidey said it would lie largely ii trailer of form to put through an authorisation bill. Mr Malcolm said his idea w.vi to cot, t,he Minister down as early as they could to Owak.i, and after a hrief halt.take hiui right through-U> the Valley, and show hiui tho reservations, ctc., have dinnor, and drivo back by tho Table Hill road to

Ow.ika, where Ihev could hold a banquet. After considorjlile discussion as to defails, if, was decided that the secretary commumcalc with flic Minister asking liiiri if it would be convenient for him to pay a visit to and go over tho Catlins line about (he 15th or.l4th May. ■