THE LAWRENCE ROXBURGH RAILWAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 32

THE LAWRENCE ROXBURGH RAILWAY.

THE RIVAL ROUTES. (By Oxjr Special Repobtee.) ROXBURGH, May 29. After his speech to-night two deputations desired to wait on the Premier. Feeling en the question of the routes for the proposed Roxburgh railway has been prettyhigh for some lime in the district, and on Saturday and to-day the supporters of the> Lawrence-Roxburgh route and the supporters of the Heriot-Moa Flat route had beea vigorously canvassing for support for their* respective deputations. When the Premier arrived it was estimated by Mr John Bennetts (chairman of the Lawrence-Roxburgh League J that over a hundred had turned up to appear before the Premier as a deputation in support of the connection with Dun•edin via Lawrence, while it was estimated by the other side that 30 had turned up in. support of what is popularly termed " the back street " route. However, there was no mistaking the attitude of the Premier when the large deputation of over 100 residents of the district was gathered together. The Premier said it was not necessary to deputationise him. He had told them the hrtemtion of the Government to ask Parliament for a vote for the construction of the Lawrence to Beaumont section, and there, was an end of the matter as far as he was concerned. He had told them the intentions of the Government, and he meant to stick to thai. If there were any proposals for other routes those proposals would have, to emanate from the Pubfic Works Department and be laid before -the House. Subsequently about half a Jozen supporters of the connection, with Southland by "the back street route" drew the Premier away to a corner of the hall to lay before him their views. - He- gave them very short ehrift indeed. He said he understood they were going to petition Parliament. WeU, they should forward their petition, to the Public Works- Department. That was the constitutional course.- R was only waste of their timo and his time to talk rival . routes to • him. Mr John Ihglis, who acted as spokesman^ , said if the Premier, as they gathered from bis speech, favoured the Lawrence route, they were not there to oppose it. They had been advocating: the Heriot route for over 15 years, and never had any official intimation from the Government. The Premier: Haven't we extended that line to Ediavale? I read the other day o£ a syndicate advertising 1 the homestead of Moa Fiat- as within three miles of Edievalo. Is that not so? Mr Inglis : That's so. The Premier : "Very well, what are you driving at? It's no use as far as I am concerned: I have my own departments fa> attend to. When it comes to questions of detail you must go to the proper department. Mr Inglis : lam afraid you misunderstand us. W© have- been, advocating the Heriofe route for- 15 years, and as we haves had no> intimation that The. Premier: My dear man, if s no use your trying to put me in a false positioa to gain your purpose. The Premier then commenced to move away, but the spokesman endeavoured to say something 1 further, and" the Premier, returning, treated the deputation to som» banter. Ho said: "Haven't you got th« Heriot line extended six miles? Very well* what are you grumbling about? The Law-rence-Roxburgh line hasn't been extended; cix inches. It's the Lawrence-Roxburgh people's turn now. Give them a show." Mr Inglis-: "I don't fairly understand you Mr Seddon, in that matter." The Premier : "I said as a positive fact . that you. have had the line from Heriot extended six miles.' From Lawrence to Roxburgh they havent had cix yards, ana . you should give them a- show. I believa the Alexandra people wrant to cut you right out and extend the'r line to Roxburgh.' And with this smiling remark the Premier walked away and the deputation got outside,, convinced, no doubt, that though land syndicates may get up good agitations, the Prim© Minister of the colony has a habit of seem» about as far through a brick wall as most people. ___^___^______