Deputations.

Otago Witness, Issue 1419, 1 February 1879, Page 20

Deputations.

THE CATLIN'S RIVER RAILWAY.

Messrs Somerville, Whyfcock, Lamond, Stewart, and Brown, appointed by a public meeting held at Puerua recently, waited upon the Hon. Mr Macandrew on Tuesday in connection with the proposed route of the Catlin's River Railway. The deputation was accompanied by Mr J. W. Thomson, M.H.R., who introduced the members of it to the honourable gentleman. The deputation pointed out that it was the wish of the public meeting which appointed them, and also of the majority of the settlers in the Waitepeka and Pueiua districts, that the line should leave the main southern line at Waitepeka Station, instead of at Invertiel as proposed, proceeding thence to Glenomaru Valley through the settled districts, instead of along the base of the ridges fronting the swamp land closer to the Clutha River. The members of the deputation pointed out that by following this route the line would run through a country settled on both sides of it, so that not only would the settlers derive a benefit by haying the railway in closer proximity te their farms, but the railway would have a considerably greater chance of being supplied with payable traffic. As the line was at present proposed to run, only upon one side, and that to a limited extent, would it tap a settled district ; while upon the other side a vast swamp extended, not likely to be settled for many years to come, Mr Blair, engineer, who was present, stated that the proposed route would be about a mile and a half longer than that at present laid out. The Hon. Mr Macandrew said the question was one upon which the Government could say little until they had some data to go upon as to the respective cost of the two routes. He would give instructions that a survey should be made along the route suggested, and an estimate of the cost of construction made, when 1 the wishes of the settlers and the whole matter would have the full consideration of the Government.