CATLINS-TAHAKOPA RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 11

CATLINS-TAHAKOPA RAILWAY LEAGUE.

GREATER ENERGY DEMANDED. Tho ordinary meeting of the CatlinsTahakopa Railway Leacne was held in Mr D. M. Fea's office "on the 30th ult., when there were present — Messrs G. Fenwick (in tho chair), C. Rattray, G. Brown, W. F. Edmond, H. F. Moss, M. Cohen, "W. J. Bolt, and T. Mackenzie. A. R. Barclay, T. K. Sidey. M P'e. The chairman of the league, Mr R. Chieholm, was absent owing to illnr«s and apologies were received from Metsio W. Taj lor and D. M. Fea. In response to a request of the league that the^ number of men employed on the railway construction v.oiks should be increased to 200, a reply was received from the Aclinp-Ministe.' of Public Works statins that tho district engineer had been instructed to make a substantial inciease in tho number of men emplo\ed on the line npon resumption of woik after the holida\s. The Chairman «aicl that, understandino; that \erv few additions had been n^aifc to the number of men employed on the line, lip had that morning had an inteiview with Mr U-=ah-"r. the District Engineer cf ibo Pubko Works Departmriil, and had askeJ him if he would «t,ite the exact position. Mr Ussher said it was true Ihal thore had not been any increase of moment made in the number of men enaaued on the lire. The number of ' men employed last month was 82, and the number at the present tame wa6 90. Mr Ussher explained that difficulty had been experienced in getting men.

Owing to harvesting- operations being in t full swing it had not been possible to get more than two or three hands. Hopes were entertained by Mr Ussher, hovi ever, that when the harvesting; was completed he would be able to put a number of extra men on. He had epecifio instructions to increase the number of men to 150. Mr Ussher replied that he ha.d been in communication with the Labour Office, and he had asked those in charge to furnish him with 60 extra men for the work. He (the chairman) was afraid that no very eerious endeavour had been made to increase the number of hands employed. The mattei" had probably not received that attention which it demanded. Meantime the fine weather wae passing aw r ay. and the forma- \ tion work had been retarded owing to the limited number of men employed. He was not saying this in blame of Mr Useher, who had expressed his strong desire to now push the works forward-, and had informed the Labour Bureau that he was anxious to have the additional men as soon as possible. Mr Ussher explained that he had endeavoured to get married men. That, no doubt, was right; still, Bingle men mjght have

been engaged, as married men were apparently not procurable. Mr Moss said it was very essential that the work should be pushed on in the fine weather, a« the wet weather retarded the work considerably. Mr Cohen said they should adhere to their original intention and ask that 200 men be put on. There was no reason why they should depart from that decision. The claims of the Catlins district should not be kept in the background any longer. They must have men so that the £40,000 allocated could be expended. The, duplication of the Dunedin to Mosgiel railway line was a serious factor in the shortage of hands that was being experienced in connection with the Catlins railway line. The completion of the line meant a great deal to tho people of Catline in particular. He would move — "That the attention of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Publio Works be drawn to the urgent necessity ther© was for placing- the full complement of 200 men on the line with a view to the earnest prosecution of the railway during the present favourable season." Mr Mackenzie, M.P., seconded. A

I day's labour -at this time of the year would give double the results that could be obtained during the winter. The district was eagerly awaiting the railway, and the Government should see that the full com- | plcment of men was put on the works. He expressed the pleasure of the league in being able to welcome back Mr -Mark Cohen. Mr Cohen said ho woulJ like to 6ee a' vie-it paid to the district by members of the league. It would afford members an opportunity of seeing what progress had been made. It was accordingly decideH that a party from the League should visit the district during the month of February. Mr MtuT kenjsie, M.P., to arrange dates and paH tieulars.

I Jiu-jitsu mate, £20; and billiard ballf (bonzoiiuc), £71, are two of the items whicl appear in the Admiralty and War OfficC sections respectively of a Government re* turn of all contracts made in the several departments in the year ending March 31 ' last.