OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY UNKNOWN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2691, 11 October 1905, Page 37

OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY UNKNOWN.

A meeting of the executive of the Ofcag'o Central Railway League was held in the office of Mr Ji. C. Campbell on Monday evening, and was attended by Messrs Burnett (chairman), Jolly, and Tonkin. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Nees and M'Gecrgo

Mr Closs telegraphed that the progress being made on the railway works was very satisfactory.

Mr Prank Young wrote- that, having now been stationed at Gore, he regretted exceedingly that, though the objects of the league had his entire sympathy, he would not be able to materially assist it any longer.

Mr Jolly said he did not know whether the time was opportune to moye a resolution he had drafted, but he would read it. It was as fellows: — "Parliament having voted £100,000 this year for the extension of the Otago Central railway, and m -vi&w of the formation of the Al-exandra-Clydci section being- completed before No. 3 brielge is finished, this- league respectfully urgss the Minister, of Public Works to proceed with ?Sshe Clyde-Cromwell section, so that the amount may be- expended during the financial year." The Chairman thought there could be no possible harm in moving that.

Mr Jolly said there" was an impression abroad that the- Government was not going to proceed with . the further construction pf the line when it got to Clyde, and seeing the league had been formed to get the lino right through -to Hawea, he thought ih-ay should take some action in the direction indicated 'by the motion- and prevent the line stopping at Clyde. He thought it would be madness to countenance, any attempt to stop the line going- beyond Clyde. They knew perfectly well from reports that the lirie practically tapped a bit of the best portion of Otago Central leaving Clyde. He understood there was a fine bit of country out there, and it had been proved that wheat could b& grown there* of better quality than in any other part of Otago. He thought it would be madness for any Government to stop the line at Clyde, and to prevent that, and in view of the coming election, they should disabuse any candidate of the idea that the line should stop at that point, and let them understand the league would not oease- its efforts until the lme was completed te Hawca. It remained to be seen what should be done afterwards. Some said the line" should go through to the West Coast, but that was an alter Consideration. He thought a motion such as he had just read would at least draw public ■ attention to the matter, and the attention of those who were standing for Parliament and those already in Parliament. He bad much pleasure in moving the motion. The Chairman said he was with Mr Jolly , in this matter, l»cause he felt they must, carry out the duty imposed upon them, which was the extension of the line to Lake H>wea The league- was undoubtedly formed for the purpose" of seeing the Ime carried to the point to which rfc had been surveyed. Her -thought as a league they should" either -advocate the extension of. the line or disband. , j It was resolved ■'that the motion shmil 5 I come up for consideration at next inset u£This'- concluded the business.