CATLISS-TAHAKOPA RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2857, 16 December 1908, Page 66

CATLISS-TAHAKOPA RAILWAY LEAGUE.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Cathns-T&jiakona Railway League Committee, held on the 10th instant, was attended by Messrs M. Cohen (in the chair), T Mackenzie M.P., H. F. Moss, W. F Edmond, W. B. M Fea, W, Tnylor, and J. 13. Waters (secretary). Messrs R. Chishohn, E. R. Wilson, and G. M. Thomson, M.P., cent apologies for non-attendance. HEPOKTS. Mr Jame* Chri=>t'e reported as follows: — 'Quuriying is still being carried on at the quarry near the crusher, also at the i quarry just above the Houipapa Station. During the month past the work of laying the rails and ballasting the line has been completed to Thornton',. At this point a chute has been built, by the uee of which the metal is shot down from the trucks into drayo ; also a shed is being built here in TA-hich to store perishable materials, hiich a* cement, etc. Metal from the crusher is now being laid along the road on top of the corduroy. This work i-> pioceeding in good style. The work of cutting out the culvert chambers is also well in hand and I expect soon to be able to report as favourably regarding the culverts. A number of fresh cuttings have been 6tarted during the month, and those on hand are being worked steadily. There are now about 181 men employed on tte works. I arrived at the number in my iu>ual way, and report as I find actually on the works at. time of my vieit. I am pleased to report that the number of bor^c* has increased to about 30. Considering the small number of men on the works, I am very well pleased with the general progress, and I hope in a few weeks to be £<ble to report even more favourably than I can on this occasion." Mr Mackenzie said he was of opinion ihat the railway should bo got on to the other side of Table Hill as 6oon as possible. An effort should be made also to get the m«n thrown forward ahead of the woik. iii- Edinond pointed out that projected

j lines were often delayed in construction by . having to wait for the arrival of the material for viaducts. The Secretary said the engineer had informed him that there would be some very heavy cuttings. The Chairman: It seems we nave got to the heaviest part of the work. Mr Edmond said they had been promised more men. Instead of this men had been taken off. They were now 20 short. Mr Fea pointed out that, if tho railway had been forced through, how great a thing j it would ha\e been for the district in } particular and the province in general. j There had been great opportunities fcr sending butter and cheese to otner countries. Mr Mackenzie : But the Government has made a splendid response. Mr Fea: Oh, yes; it has now. The Chairman said that they should get the Government to put on a maximum number of men between, say. January and April, when the weather would be fine. It was resolved on the motion of Mi Taylor — "That the attention of tho Minister of Public Work.-? be called to the urgent necessity for putting more men on the railway works during the fine weather, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister."