THE CATLINS RIVER RAILWAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2080, 4 January 1894, Page 13

THE CATLINS RIVER RAILWAY.

A public meeting was- 1 held in the Owaka Schoolhou6e on the 27th ult. (writes our Owaka correspondent). Cr Knowles was voted to the chair, on the motion of Mr James M'lntyre, seconded by Mr Samuel Young. He briefly explained that the object of the meeting was to push on the railway. Mr Samuel Young moved the first resolution as follows: — "That this meeting is of opinion that the Catlins River railway should be completed as soon as possible to Owaka Flat." Mr Glasgow Logan seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr W. G. M'Lahen moved— "That this meeting ask the Government to give effect to their views by at once putting more men on the railw&y works, as the number at present engaged is quite insufficient." There were still in the district 40 men unemployed. They would remind the Government' that better value can be obtained for work done, during the summer — especially in the Catlins river district ; and further, that the railway is surveyed partly through swamp. The motion was seconded by Mr Jambs ' M'lntyre, and unanimously carried. Mr John Craig then moved — "That the Government be respectfully requested to expend the money voted and available on the road through Mr Brown's property, block IX, and Cannibal Bay road, so as to give settlers an outlet." He would point out that a considerable sum had been expended in the centre of the road in block IX, and if the portion through Mr Brown's property was oponed up it would give settlers an outlet. * The motion was seconded by Mr Logan, and unanimously agreed to. It was proposed by Mr James Bntreur, seconded by Mr F. M'Keown, and unanimously agreed to — " That this meeting do urge upon the Government the desirability of spending the money allocated in making roads passable that are already constructed, rather than in furthering impassable clay roads remote from settlement." On the motion of Mr Craig, seconded by Mr J. M'lntyre, the Rev. W. G. M'LareD, who had been appointed secretary, was requested to forward the resolutions to Mr Thomas Mackenzie, M.H.R. The usual vote of thanks to the chairman was accorded on the motion of Mr Callighan.