OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY LEAGUF.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 23

OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY LEAGUF.

A meeting : of trie" executive of the 'Otago Central Railway League was held at the Agri- - cultural Hall on Monday night, and attended by Messrs Baron (in the chair), Hazlett, Jolly, Park, and Howden. Mr Arnold, M.H.R., and Mr M'Kay, of Wedderburn, were also present, at the invitation of the executive.

Mr Leslie Harris wrote tendering his resignation as a member of the executive.— The reugnation was accepted with regret. Mr Thomas Spain wrote:— "During the last month railway works have been pushed ahead with vigour. The formation to'Blackstone Hill is now nearly finished. Most of the culverts .are in course of construction, and some completed. The piles are .being driven for the bridge over the Idaburn Creek — not a very extensive structure, but one which may be termed the biggest on this section of the line. Some obstruction has occurred during the month in consequence of floods, which was promptly repaired. This may be looked upon as fortunate, as it will give the authorities some idea of what they may expect on this part of the line in future, and enable them to guard against it. As there are no engineering difficulties between Blackstone Hill and Wedderburn, should the powers that be feel inclined there is nothing to prevent them opening the line to here in six months from now, which would be a great help to the dredging community, as it brings them 16 miles nearer a railway station. I would, therefore, suggest that your league use their best endeavours to get the line to Blackstone Hill finished as early as possible, as from there onwards it>«iust be necessarily slower."

It was resolved that the letter be received, and the secretary instructed to thank Mr Spain for his interesting and satisfactory news.

Mr M'Kay said there was one- cutting near Wedderburn which would take till the end of January to put through, and the Public Works department had three "shifts working there at present. He thought the works could not progress any better than they were doing just now. The Chairman said the' best thanks of" the executive were due to Mr M'Kay for the service he had rendered to the league in writing letters and in attending the meeting that night.

Mr Hazlett said it appeared from the- report that they had from Mr Spain and from the remarks made by Mr M'Kay that the, works must be 'proceeding very satisfactorily. It; must be very gratifying to the league to know that the Government were pushing on the line as they were doing. The Chairman : I notice that Mr Spain has suggested that we should take some action which'- would enable the line to be opened to Blackstone during the next six months. Mr M'Kay thought the Government were more anxious, to have it opened than Mr Spain. As soon as the overbridge near Wedderburn -was completed he was almoßfc, positive that the work of plate-laying would be started.

Mr Hazlett said when they got the line to Blacksfone Hill there would be nc difficulty in coming down to town from Clyde in a day. Mr Arnold thanked the executive on behalf of Mr Millar and himself for their invitation.' to them to be present. He apologised for the. absence of Mr Millar, who was unable to attend the meeting. While they could nob undertake to attend each meeting of the, league, they would always be willing to at-} tend when there wae any special business!' which concerned members of Parliament. Hej should be very pleased -to send a telegram toS the Minister of Publio -Works the next das'

with regard to opening the line to Blackstone. It was very satisfactory that the league had realised thai the Government were pushing on the work as speedily as they possibly could. He was sure that the Government did not want urging in any way. They knew that the vote this year had been increased, and he felt positive that the whole of it would be expended. If it was not, it would not be the fault of the city members.

It was resolved that the secretary be authorised to visit the works on the Otago Central line and report to next meeting.

Mr Arnold agreed to send the following telegram to the Minister of Public Works to-day: — "It is urged by the Otago Central Railway League that the section to Blackstone would, if opened soon, greatly facilitate traffic. "When may I* say will the railway be running to that point?"