OTAGO CENTRAL KAILWAY. LEAGUF

Otago Witness, Issue 2525, 6 August 1902, Page 19

OTAGO CENTRAL KAILWAY. LEAGUF

j A mooting of the Ota^n Central Railway League was held on Monday. There M'cro prc^nt — Mossis Bume:*, Bathgate, Jolly, Parron, Brown, Fels, Sargood, and Stcele. Messrs L. Gards, C. W. Rattray, and H. F. Nee-s wrote apologising for nou-attondanc-*.

The first business was the election of a chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Batligate proposed the re-election of Mr Burnett, and in doing co made a few complimentary remarks in regaid to the efforts of Mr Burnett in the past. The nomination was seconded by Mr Barron, and carried unanimously. I Mr A. C. Stronach vrae re-elected treaI surer.

Mr Bathgate said that perhaps they had noticed in the press the other day a statement made in the House by Mr O'Meara to the effect that Hie Otago Central railway was a job from beginning to end, and that he (Mr O'Meara) hoped the Government would not spend any more money on it He thought that the statement was very recklescs. He understood that in the House Mr O'Meara's utterances had not very much effeot one way or the other. But, unfortunately, Mr O'Meara was an old Otago man, and it was quite possible that his utterances might bo made use of by the members in the House to injure the line and to get the vote cut down. A statement of that sort should not 'be allowed to pass unchallenged, and he would suggest that a statement similar to that drawn up afc last election, giving reasons why the Otago Central railway should be prosecuted,- -should be printed and a copy sent- •to every member of the House. Ho. would move that the chairman and himself be appointed a sub-committee to take such stepsas they deem advisable to r»futc Jhe utterances of Mr O'Mpara, and also, if possible, to .obtain from him an explanation of his utterances. The motion was seconded by Mr Jolly and carried.

Mr Sargood asked if anything was being done to stir up enthusiasm in the -country. The Chairman said they were not getting the assistance they should receive from Alexandra, Blacks, and Clyde residents.

Mr Earnshaw said Mr O'Meara was simply hying to work for »iw onn distiitt at ilio expense of Otago. Hp oxprpssed himself emphatically that the Government was not spending on the line the votes of money it professed it was doing. It was decided that the Chairman and Mr Sargood should draft a letter to the mayors of boroughs, chairmen of comity councils, leading citizens, and editors of newspapers in the country places interested asking tlu-m to call public meetiugs and to do all thpy could in assisting the league in ha*. ing the railway pioseeuted vigorously.