THE CATLINS RIVER RAILWAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2209, 2 July 1896, Page 12

THE CATLINS RIVER RAILWAY.

A petition signed by 170 settlers In the Catlins district has been forwarded to Mr T. Mackenzie, M;H.R., by Mr W. Oarlton,- for presentation to "Parliament, prayiug that tbe C»tlin's River railway maybe extended from Owaka to the Catlin's River bridge, a distance' of about three miles and a-half. In supporb of their prayer the petitioners urge :— 1. That it is now 18 yeara since this line was x commenced, and only 25 miles nave been constructed. 2. 'J hat tbe slow progress made with the line ia disheartening to old settlers, and ia a serious check to what would otherwise be rapid settlement. ♦ 3. That we sent a largely-signed petition to Parliament last ses&ion and nothing has yet been done to carry out our wisheß. •" i. That it will be unnecessary to wait for a survey, as the line ia already surveyed to the above point, and that we beliove work could be commenced at once if the' necessary money were voted. 5. That tbe Catlin's River bridge is a neutral point, and the line could be extended in any direction in the future. 6. That the population ia increasing enormously, the Cat Has riding for Clutha alone numbering nearly 2<jOO souls. 7. That this work would furnish muoh needed part-omployraent for the settler*, and that large quantities of valuable timber could be sent by rail instead of being destroyed, as at present. 8. That this district is especially adapted for clobo settlement, and highly suitable for the dairy industry, there being two factories established, and one more in course of erection at Tahakopa. 9. That large numbers of excursion trains could profitably b« run in the summer mooths, as Tahakopa (a very flue watering place) is within easy distance, and the local scentsry is very fluer We also believe that this line will be one of the best paying briuch line 3in the colony. 10. That we are strongly in favour of the Government borrowing sufficient money to extend the railways;* so that the resources of the colony may be properly developed. And your humble petitioners will ever pray.