CATLANS-TAHAKOPA RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 38

CATLANS-TAHAKOPA RAILWAY LEAGUE.

'ANNUAL MEETING. The seventh annual meeting of the Oat-lins-Ta'hftkopa Railway League was held in the Chamber of Commerce Hall on the 20th. The president (Mr It CMsholm) occupied the chair, and there were present — Messrs D. . M'Pheraon, H. F. Moss, W. Taylor, A. Bathgate, M. Cohen, J. Brown, D. M. Fe», W. B. M. Feaf W. F. Edmond, Leslie Wilson, C. W. Rattray, J. B. Waters, and the Mayor (Mr J. M'Donald). An apology for absence was received from Mr T. Mackenzie, M.P. The Ch-irman, in moving the adoption of the -report (already published) and balance sheet, referred to the presence a* the meeting of his.- Worship the Mayor and the. president -of the dtswnber of Commerce. It was gratifying, to see that they had their evident "sympathy^-a- sympathy tha" was refreshing." -Dealing with the •work of tine league during the past year, the" Chairman said: — In moving the adoption of lihe report and "balance sheet — a report ifoat has been carefully prepared by our •energetic secretary, who has always evinced a whole-hearted interest in his work in connection wkh the furtherance of the objects of the league,- and which is now submitted for your approval — I do not intend -to say much. At fine same -time, I do feel that if ever there was an oooaaion in i>h© la~-*joiy of the league when it was imperative that we should speak out with no -uncertain sonnd it is at the present time. Two ye*rs ago this month a deputation from the league waited upon the Minister of Labour when in. ©nnedin, and urged .upon him the necessity of doubling the number of men being employed on the Catlir^ Jine, with a view to ifcs more spsedy prosecution. Next day iihere appeared in one of our daily papers a vigorous leading artfsie strongly -supporting the reasonableness of the league's request, wad which ' paid us this -oomplimeirt in the closing sentences —"The CJaflins-Tehakopa League sets the- province an example of persistenoe." Now, I want to say that in my humble judgment the measure of success v that has -attended the persistence of our league's ' effort* up to fee present is disappointing, and now that the North Island Main Trunk line has been finished, givingthe Government £300,008 to £400,000 more to epend on railway construction, our podicy ol peristence must -give place to insistence .on a' much hm>*b vigorous prosecution of the Catlms-Tahakopa railway iine in the iufcure than, has .been the case, in the the past. SLOW PROGRESS. Since the league sprang into existence in 1901 the section from Ow-ak*. to Cutlin's River (a distance of three mike) has been completed and opened for traffic. From Oatlm's "River, -which has been' the terminus for some iame, to Houipapa- (a -dfefcaiice of two miles and a-quarter) the line is finished, and, I understand, will be open' for traffic shortly. From Houipapa. to ©ewer's siding (a distance of three miles .and a-half) the bush clearing and burning-off Is finished, and along this section a* various points' about 200 workmen are employed a.\ earthwork, culverts, etc. The construction of this flection is neoossarily slow, in view of -the many heavy cuttings and high embankments. From Dewar's siding to T»ble Hill (a distance of four miles fend a-half) bush-felling has been done for about & mile and a-quarter, and is being continued on that section. 'The route the line will take for two or three miles *t -the Table Hill end of this section has rtofc been definitely fixed, and is at present under thf> consideration of the department. From Table Hill to Tahakopa (ft distance "as the crow flies" of about four miles) s> flying Burrey has been made of three alternative routes, any of which will require railway oonetraction to the extent of from eight t© nine miles in length to e/jocxmpliah that short distance. These facts, - wtien summarised; mean that -during the leajgue'iT existence, extending over seven years, only five miles and a-quarter of 'railway hare been finished^ four miles and ~ tfiree-qtwurteMf jn <»nrse of construction, ana 12i iniies nnfcmoßed. While that is so, now that the North Island Main Trunk line is -fimaiied, prospects for the Catlins line in th* near future are very much At no period during the league's history have, so many men been employedoh'tae line as there are at present, but, owing to fhe broken j-iature of the- country for some considerable distance, the progress H must be slow, and with characteristic persistence we must not -only nress our claim for A vote of at least £100,000 for the onrrent year, but, what is more essential, we must insist upon the number of workmen employed on the line being increased by at least double the present number, becanse bo long as the present method of carrying on the work prevails, the number of • "workmen employed on the line determines -the rate of progress much more than th» -«>fce placed upon *3»e Estimates. JFozinstanoe, last year's vote was £40.000. while for the year there could not have fceen more than 150 workmen employed, earning at moefc »n average of £2 per week, or a total expenditure in workmen's wages of £15,600, which, after a liberal allowance for sopervision c.nd other necessary -charges, is considerably less than half the total of the vote, and certainly very much lew than the importance of the Ca-t-lins-Tahakopa section justly demands. WHY THE LINE SHOULD BE PUSHED ON. If 1 understand the principle that ought to actuate •any Government in fch-e construction of xajlwayß, it is to promote an-d encourage olose settlement on the land, While affording facilities for tho establishanent of thriving industries, especially in districts triwsre there is a reasonable prospect; of the line returning a fair interest -tra the expenditure. So far as the Oatlinsfeiakopa lijjo in concerned in this respect, Jj If Kgo&d to none in the Dominion, as H rate already twen oleariT shown that in JB» eeaaaxurpß nafcitral -crea-!tl!i in timber AvmlUng coßTersion there is more S*j* dSicient -rai«* to return en amount

more than equal to 6 per cent, on the cost of construction. We cannot too often repeat the fact, as borne out by the report on the timber industry of the Dominion submitted to Parliament, that there is 150,000 acres of virgin bush in the district through which the line tha-eads its course, whi;h. taken at a very low estimate, will yield 1,000,000,000 (one thousand million) superficial feet of marketable sawn timber. This, taken at a much less price than the same quality of material readily commands in the market at the present time, means an asset to the Dominion of over £6,000,000. That the completing of the line would give an impetus to an important industry is self-evident, and that the line would receive a, corresponding benefit is clear, as this timber industry alone would provide 15 truck-loads of sawn timber every working- day for at least 100 years, which would mean an annual revenue to the Railway Department for that term of over £15,000. But that is not all. After the coil has been shorn of this mine of -wealth the district is not impoverished. To those who had the opportunity of visiting the Agricultural and P«sfcorad Society's winter show the Catlin's River bay must have been a surprise, as well as an object lesson, on the agricultural capabilities cf the district as represented by the splendid specimens of turnips, potatoes, and other root crops, all grown without the aid of manure, a circumstance that speakte well for the fertility and excellence of tihe OatHns soil as well as for the prospects of the Garlins-Tahaicopa line. — ("Hear, hear.") OATLINS CLAIM. In view, then, of the importance of the speedy construction of a line that may fairly claim to be paramount, it is difficult to see how the Government can resist the reasonable demands of the league, and we may fairly hope within the next few months — when weather conditions will be improved—to see at least 400 workmen employed in the vigorous prosecution of a work the importance of which is now beginning to-be realised. It will be gratifying to members to know that at a meeting of settlers, held recently at Stuart's Corner, a Sub-railway League was success fully formed, of which Mr John Patereon was aj»pointed chairman and Mr James Chrisfci© secretary. Its chief object will be to furnish periodically fall and reliable' information as fo the progress of "work on the railway line. W« congratulate ihe settlers on their courage and fortitude in hoping Almost .against hope, under Adverse and trying circumstances, and assure them of any continued help, and our determination that ere long they shall heaa* the shrill whistle of the iron hoiee awake the echoes of the Tahakopa Valley.— (Applause.) The Mayor in seconding the motion for the -adoption of the report and balance sheet, said he regretted very much that he was not quife in touch -with 'ihe workings of the leagne as he would like to be. It was distinctly pleasing to him to know that he. was .associated with this league; because his .syinpathieg for- many years had been with the Oatlin'« jßiver people. As Mayoj: of the city he had always spoken out in -flic direction of what he considered ware the rights <ff the people of Dunedin and Otago generally. He was quite pereuaded that the Government would be doing- the right thing in expending all the money on the -Catlins line that was allocated. The chairman had pointed ont the enormous wealth that was lying in the district in the way of timber. That was a sufficient guarantee for the expending o f the -money on the railway which the league was asking. Wbile ha -was in the North Island lie was muoh etruok with the large numbers of people thai he encountered m. both Auckland &nd Wellington. Looking at Wellington, what would' it be were it not for Ss harbour .and railways. The harbour accommodation -was simply perfect, and the railway service- a very good one, and these two factors, and the facilities that were thereby afforded lai-ge numbers of people to come into that centre were practically what fcept Wellington going. What did -wo have in Dunedin? We had our railways, and that was practically all. The harbour had been kept back owing to the oondifeion of the waters, and accordingly it should be the desire and aim of everyone that our railways should be pushed on extensively sas possible, and the people of the province enabled to go back and forward, and goods to come in as cheaply as possible. In Auckland the train service and the harbour facilities were both very good. He waa told in each of these towns that Dunedin was gains back. It was not going back, but it was not going forward to the came extent as was thß case with Auckland and Wellington. Ik w&b eimjply because Dunedin had not the came facilities for people* being brought into the -town as the two cities referred to •enjoyed. Dunedin was Hot so favourably placed in regard to her port, and the Government should therefore grant them more money in order to open up the back country. While away in the north h« had met the Hon. J. A. Millar and had conversed with- him on different questions of import to Dunedin, and he believed that he had a scheme in hand that, if known, would be agreed upon as being of very jspjeat benefit -fco this city, and which would minimise the cost of bran-ginc; goods into this oity. He suggested that the Chamber of Commerce should ascertain the population, of the different towns and counties, and ascertain what would be the actual ■ Tates were Dunedin "s harbour made a free port. He did not know wliefcii&r t-he Government of fcfae Dominion was caj-rying out. its obligations in regard to the Catlins-Tahakopa Railway Lea#ue, — (The Chairman: '"No, it is not.")— but he was satisfied that the time had arrived wl)«n another two Ministers should b-s added to the Cabinet, in order to cop? wkh the amount of work the Government was now called upon to do. Reverting to Dunedin, from a commercial point of view, Mr M'Donald 6aid that business was sound, but it might not be bo extencive us thov would like. In Wellington people seemed to be running about with qua.rteracre sections round their necks. That was not 6o in Dunedin. «.nd it was a good indication. He ti-usted that those who had the interests of Dunedin city at heart would meet with success in their efforte, and that •before long Uie -population, instead of beinjr about 65,000. would be nearei 85,000 or 90,000. Mr D. MTherson =-aid lip did not claim to be a member of the 1-eaprue, but was there by virtue of his office a.- president of the Chamber of Commerce. At the annual meeting of thai; body-- l:el<! recently, a motion was carried to the effect that the Government be urjred to viororou^lv proceed with the construction of the Otag-o Central and Catlins-Ta-halcopa railway. He was

' sure that ere now the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works had alreadybeen written to on the subject. As they ■were aware, the Chamber of Commerce was fairly well up in all the little matters that affected the district. Indeed, there was hardly a meeting- of that body but that members of Parliament or others in high positions had to be written to asking that something to Ot&go's advantage be urged. He was not going to boast at the beginning of his term of office, but material assistance as far as possible would be given to all "bodies -which had the welfare of the district at heart as occasion demanded. No railway or other constructive work could, be of its utmost utility until completed, a.nd if Tahakopa were the object of the line, the Government should complete -it as coon as possible, so as to cain as much as possible itself, for, according to the figures which had been quoted, the district was worth it. He wished the league every success in its laudable efforts to promote the welfare of the district. The motion was carried unanimously. I The balance sheet, presented by the seo- ' retary, showed a credit balance of £40 ' 2s 9d. SPEEDY PROSECUTION OF THE LINE. DEMANDED. '< Mr M. Cohen said he had been, asked to move — " That the Government be -respectfully requested to place a-fc least double the number of men on the Gatlins-Tah-akopa section at the earliest possible opportunity, with a^ view to the more speedy prosecution of the line." He moved the motion with ' pleasure. The chairman, in "his able address, had ahown the potentialities of the district. Every section of the railway opened up so far had amply borne out the prognostications of the league. The further the line was carried the better would it develop a lucrative district, which should have been opened up long- ago. _On -the seven years the league had been in exist1 ence only five miles and a-half of railway I had been constructed. He was disappointed j with the Government because of promises I which had been made as far back as 1875, ' and- which had never been fulfilled. He suggested that th^y should delete the word " Caflins" from their title, and call themselves "The Tahakopa. Railway League." They had already reached Oatlins, and tkey should not give way until they reached their ultimate goal — Tahakopa. — (" Hear, hear.") He was prepared -to do his share of the fighting for the-.justice of Otago, and for Ihe fulfilment of promises made to unfortunate settlers long augo, and which he would like to see carried out in their lifetime. He would not be satisfied this year unless the Government put sufficient men •on the line to advance it very considerably. (" Hear, hear.") Mr W. F. Edmond eeconded the motion. He was pleased to hear what Mr Cohen said on the matter. The chairman of the Chamber of Commerce had made reference at a recent meeting of that body to the shrinkage of business and imports in Otago and Dunedin, and made comparison with Southland, *nd said the latter did not suffer so much as Otago. Hp agreed with this. Timaru was instance. It was now a fin© port, accommodating; the largest efceamers, .and -the merchants would go where the trade would be. The main element of prosperity in a -district was settlement and opening- up by roads and railways. They had not been justly treated. In ell ihe time the matter had be&n before the Government only 27 miles of railway had been completed, for the simple reason that the merchants and traders had been far too lethatgic in their endeavour to carry on the line. He hoped that in future they would prosecute a more vigorous policy than in fche past. # , Mr H. F. Moss -oommented on the limited number of people, at the annual meeting. It had been that way ever since the inception of the league. The actual work was left to the same few people every year. It was no wonder that their efforts did not meet with more success. They were working for the interests of the city, and it was an appalling fact that there should be so much apathy in the oorameroial community. TJiere were a la^ere number who did nothing beyond paying their subscriptions, and who left it to a few members to fight the battle of the league. How wore they to expect to gain anything when it became known that only 10 or 12 members attended the annual meeting of a, league whose object was of national consequence? They had funds in hand, and they should do something towards taking some of the commercial people of the ofty down into the Cablins district, and let them ccc for themselves what there was in the district. Sorely there roust be some patriotism amongst "their citizens. They should have aomethmg like 200 or 300 men at the a-ruraal meeting instead of about a dozen. The Chairman said numbers did not after all always indicate power. The number present at the meeting might be limited, but select, and he was quite sure tha* there was sufficient energy there to make the Tahakopa railway boom. The motion was carried unanimously. The whole of the retiring- executive was re-elected, as follows : —President, Mr K. Chisholm; vioe-presidembs— Messrs &. lenwick, M. Cohen, and T. Mackenzie, M.P. : secretary and treasurer. Mr J. B. Waters; committee-Messrs C. W. Ratotray, L. R. WMson. W. Taylor. W. J. Bolt, H. F. Mob. D. M. Fea, W. B. M. fca, and W. F. Edniond. Messrs Wm. Brown and Co. were re»ppomterl nuditors

Ovfi- 700 oats arc cremated each year at the Fulham (London) dust destructor, after twine put through the lethal chamber at the Home for Stray Cats. The Mayor of Timaru has rw^nd * cheque on a New York bank for £1000, the first instalment of the Carnegie grant for the erection of the public library building. The cheque is signed by R. A. Franks, cashier, and is Accompanied by a voucher setting forth in the briefest way the object of the payment. Incidentally, the document shows that the £1000 -is equivalent to 4860 dollars, from w.hich it can be worked out that the dollar is worth something less than 4s lidSpeaking to a New Zealand Times inquirer about the possible circulation of di cwi°<> by means of telephone -mouthpieces, a Wellington tradesman remarked that the ewe was a very simple one. He does not u-e mouthpieces at aIL as he demonstrated h\ a view of the instrument. He showed that it wa.s possible te> hear and to be heard quit-e distinctly without th« raoutTipiere, especially if one hand is held alongside tho mouth to suide the sound.