PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA. OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2272, 16 September 1897, Page 24

PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA. OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY.

A large and enthusiastic public meeting was held in the Town Hall, Alexandra, on Saturday, ll'h iosfc., to urge on tho Government to proceed with speed and energy the construction of the Otago Central railway. Tha meeting •wn.% a representative one, residents from all parts of the district being present.

Mr Thrybks, chairman of thi committee cf the Kmlway League, was in- th« chair, and apologised for the absence of Mr Shepherd (county chairman) and other representative men who w<*r<» unavoidably absent.

Mr NAyrOR. of Clyde, moved — "Thai irrespective of all party or political opinions, the speedy prosecution of the Otago Central railway is a work of national importance, nacessary for tbe progress and development of the colony." Mr Naylor, in speaking to the motion, pointed oub the benefits that would accrue to Central Obago if a railway weie constructed, and that there would bo a saving cf a lb oa all goods received from the seaboard. Mr Navlor concluded by saying tbafc they must make an impression on the Government, for the time wonld come when all the gold would be extracted from their auriferous drifts, and if there were no railway there would be bo B(ttldment, consequently Central Obago avouM then bo little less tban a howling wildferues*.

■Mr Kblman, seconding the mob'on, naid that the cost of carriage was very severe on business people and was a brake on the deve!6pmenh of the mining resources of the distri.-t. H<! pointed out that the difference between the cost of coal to foundry men in Duaedin and to him was £3 10s a ton, and that he had paid for carriage during the past five months no lass a sum than £222 Mr Knloaan concluded by saying that were the district not a rich one thfy could not bear the immense straia and expense to which they were subjected iv cartage of goods alone.

Tbe motion wai unanimously carried

Dr Hydb moved—" Th*t this meeting respectfully requests the Government to putla on this importano work by the apepdie-sS methoris in its power, aud if neoessiry to have the work done by contract." Dr Hyde said that the speedy construction of tha line would b^ an act; of statoßmaDsbip, smd now »ll they tsked for was a chance to develop their resources. He said that tbe goldSelds revenue for the district in 1885 was £769 19 •; ia 1898. £1116 13s ; and for five month* of 1897 the revenue came to £1082, exclusive of counly rates. He pointed out thifc there wa9 nearly £100,000 invested in the district iv "dredges, and that this capital would bo doubled in all probability within the nexb few years.

Tha motion was seconded by Mr Swing (of St. Bifchsns), who pointed out that there were thousands of acres awaiting settlement, and almosb unlimited auriferous drifts for dredging operations.

The motion was carried unanimously,

Mr R. Gilkison moved — " That this meeting is of opinion that the GjvernuienS should borrow sufficient money to complete the Otego Central railway and other lines in au unfinished state, svnd that the money so harrowed should be expended on these works alone." Mr Gilkieon said that the lender should insist on a clause in the contract to the effect that the money go lent should be spent on the works for winch it is borrowed.

The motion was seconded by Mr Ivkusen (who said that he had lost as much as 20 tons of fruit in a Beason owing to the want of a railway to Alex*ndr».) and carried.

Mr Lothian rawed — "Taatthis meeting of residents in Central CKaga desire the co-opera-tion of the Labour party throughout the colony because Central Ofc^go has already opened up a field for labour which will be greatly enlarged by the exrenaion of the railway "

S conded by Me Kivkrs, and carried.

Mr Macdonald moved — " Th»b the mining associations throughout Central Obago be requested to give tfteir cordial support to the speedy construction of this r*ilw»y_"

Seconded by Mr D.vwson and carried.

Mr R. S. Gilkison moved — " That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to the Hon. the Premier, the Hons. the Ministers for Public Works and Mines, and the Hon. Mr Laruach." Seconded by Mr Walker and carried. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting.