Heriot Railway Extension.

Otago Witness, Issue 2513, 14 May 1902, Page 21

Heriot Railway Extension.

TO THE EDITOB. SiH,— Will you kindly grant me space for a feu lines 'on the above subject? A number of your readers will know that the choice of a route for the above railway extension has been a burning question in this locality for some considerable time. It will be remembered, Sir, that a deputation, with a numerously signed and representative petition, was sent up to Wellington last session for the purpose of protesting against the action of the Government in building a railway with public funds for the special benefit of only a few persons. The result of that protest on behalf of the settler 3 was that work on the line has been practically at a standstill for some "time, the disputed point having not yet been reached. In the interval efforts have been made to get some of the Ministers who had promised to visit this distiiet to do so, but so

far without success. I should also say ths* ■* widespread effort has been made to get the Government to set tip an. independent commission to decide this question of railway route, and so do away with, the heart> burnings * that apparently exist in some quarters over this matter. The Heriofc branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union and the Crookston branch have also approached the Premier in this direction, getting the reply that tho matter would receive clue consideration. Now, Sir, having made those few preliminary remarks, I wish to refer to a little excitement that took place here the other day. After its becoming: known that this district had been honoured by a visit from your highly respected senior irfcmber (Mr J. A. Millar), and Mr H. J. F. Blow (Undor-secretary for Public Works), and Mr Ussher (Chief Engineer), with Mr John Edie, jun.y as whip; Mr James Bennet, M.H.R. for Tuapeka, and Mr John Edie, sen., also being of the company, the latter two mounted. The party called npon the chairman of tho local Railway League — that person being your humble servant. The member for Tuapeka opened out by stating that he regretted there had not been time to advise the district of this visit. Evidently our member had forgotten that Dunrobiu had wire connection with the outside world. Time was' found, however, to advise the other side of the fence. - Our member, continuing, said the party intended proing to the top of Dunrobin Hill to get a look at the Moa Flat estate and . the different railway routes, for what further purposojllr Bennes did not say. We are justified in assuming. Sir, that it was for the purpose of giving the member for iQunedin a bird's-eye view only of the estate. As wo already Enow that all the other members of the party hold decided views on this railway question, and there is no use begging the point, it waa to get Mr J. A. Millar ■to share in those views that he was not given a fair look over this fine property, 'and with that object in view care was taken that the settlers should not get an opportunity^ to put matters fairly before tho latter-mentioned gentleman. As a constituent of Tuapeka, I respectfully ask our member (Mr Bennet) to name one public man (outside the Public Works Department) who favours the EdievaJeRae's Junction route in preference to Ross'? survey, giving his reasons for so floing, or, on the other hand, name one bona- fide settler resident between Tapanui and Roxbiirgh — a distance of some 40 miles — who will take up that position ; excluding, of corpse, the Edievale people and Mr Bennefc hiniself. — I am, etc., Chas. Kebsk. Humebank, Dunrobin, May 5 . The following are the winners of the events at the Waitaki collie-dog trial, held at Hakataramea last week., Heading, bring back, and yarding : J. Andersen's Scott 1. R. Fraser's Lillico 2, D. M 'Lean's Jack 3. Huntaway: W. Hogg's Dackie 1, J. A. Jamieson's Joe 2, R. W. Trotter's Glen 3. - Heading and bring back: R. W. Trotter's Storm 1, W. Menzie's Wag 2, W. McLean's Jack 3. Only three dogs during the whole meeting failed to find their sheep.