OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 10

OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY LEAGUE.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Otago Central Railway League was held in the Town Hall on the 13th.' The Mayor (Mr W. Downie Stewart) occupied the chair, and there were about a dozen members present. The annual report presented, in its opening clauses, read as follows: “Upon resuming our annual meetings it may be well to explain the reasons that caused this league to cease agitation for the completion of the Otago Central line to W anaka during the last three years. On the opening of the line to Clyde it was impressed upon us that it was of the utmost importance to the dominion that the main line, Wellington to Auckland, should be completed at as early a date as possible, and that all the available funds were required for that work, and that it would be advisable for us not to press our just claims for a grant, but that on the completion of this main line the claims of the Otago Central would be favourably considered. As we were firstly New Zealanders and secondly Otago men, we agreed to this, and took no steps to embarrass the Government till the main lino was completed and running. We now consider that this league is fuiiy jaistificd in again appealing to the Government to start the building of the lino beyond Clyde. At the risk of being accused of damnable iteration (Shakespeare), we may again remind the public that this league was inaugurated on July 9, 1892. at one of the largest and most inlliiential meetings ever held in the Town Hall to urge upon the. Government the necessity of pushing on the Central Otago line with the vigour that its importance to the country districts and to Dunedin demanded.!’ Then followed an historical sketch of the operations of the league, and the piS-secution of the lino, which which the public is fairly familiar. The Mayor said it was unnecessary for him to detain those present in opening the meeting. The report had been in their hands for some time, and set out closely the history of the league and the reasons which had caused it to stay its efforts the last two years, and the reasons for its deciding to resume its efforts towards pushing on this lino. Nothing ho could say would carry the matter further. The report also showed the history of the lino itself —as to when it was begun and when the league was started in 18S2. There were several gentlemen present much more competent to speak of the history of the line than he was, and it was, therefore, unnecessary for him to detain them. Since the last meeting of the league, as they were aware, there had been two special visits paid to the district —one by Dunedin people about two years ago, and since then a visit by the North Island members last summer. Both these visits had been very successful indeed, and had been a very valuable educational factor so fur as the visitors to the district were concerned. He had had the good fortune to take part in the first visit along with a number of other Dunedin men, and thev had been extremely interested and highly impressed with what they had seen. Since then a good many politicians had been there, and they had heard their opinion of the district, and what they hoped to bo able to do in assisting the league. The league had carried on a valuable campaign during the last few years, and had had the good fortune to secure a visit to the district of members from the North Island. The Minister of Public Works was the member for the district, so that, if ever, the fortunes of the league should bo now on a sound foundation. No league in Dunedin had had a more devoted band of workers than the Otago Central League. —(Applause.) Mr W. Burnett (chairman of the league), in moving the adoption of the report, thanked the chairman for the very kind remarks ho had made about the league. The Otigo Central Railway League had been very fortunate in the past in having mayors who took an interest in the prosecution of that line. Ho congratulated Mr Earnshaw (a former member of the league) on ids elevation to the Upper House, and expressed the hope that he would continue his advocacy of the prosecution of the line to as great an extent as he had done in the past. Continuing he stated that the report was very full, but ho would just like to ©ay that when the league was started it was looked upon with a. certain amount of r : riieti!e. S : ncr that time he thought Otago Central had come to be regarded as a land of promise, and though possibly the people going there might be disappointed, he did not think they would he. Some of the statements now being made about the country were as highly coloured as they had been discoloured 20 years ago. Howex cr. he was convinced that the country was absolutely capable of settlement, and it had

always surprised him when the Government, which was so properly interested in the closer settlement ot the land, should ha Vo neglected the one million acres of land ill Central Otago that were eminently fitted for fairly small settlement, and that could easily carry a thousand or more settlers. The reason why that had not been done was because no Government would dare to nut a railway into its own property. Further than this, Central Otago was extremely suitable for growing fat lambs, but these could not be got to the market under the present conditions- He looked forward to the time when every valley around Wan-aka would be inhabited by settlers sending large numbers of fat lambs into the city every year. If the railway went up to Wanaka these lambs could be shipped across the lake in punts or by other means, and would arrive in Dunedin next morning in perfectly good order, and without having their condition impaired by being driven long distances. There were many other matters ho could refer to in connection with the capabilities of the country, but it would be almost like guilding refined gold or painting the lily. There was also a big industry in trout fishing that could bo carried on at Lake Wanaka, and in mooting that they would perhaps be laughed at, as they were years ago when they talked of the fruitproducing powers of the country. If the trout from Lake Wanaka could bo brought to Dunedin in one day they would bo very valuable, and the industry would be a profitable one. He thought the people of Dunedin wore with them in their endeavours to push forward that lino, as they had contributed largo sums of money and shown in other ways that they were in favour of the object in view, and ho hoped that in the near future their exertions would bo rewarded. If the railway went as far as Wanaka ho would bo exceedingly pleased, and would consider that their efforts had been amply repaid by a boon to the city and to the residents of the district concerned.

Mr P. R. Sargood seconded the motion, and in doing eo congratulated the league and the other organisations interested in promoting the development of Central Otago upon the good work done during the past year. Mr Burnett had said that some of the statements about Central Otago wore too highly coloured, but he was not inclined to agree with that view. With the spread of •education in regard to better facilities for working the land and developing crops they would be surprised in a few years time at the enormous possibilities of the country. lie alluded more particularly to the question of dry farming and irrigation—by dry farming he meant stirrring the soil anil breaking it up. There was a very Jorge portion of country between Cromwell and Wanaka on the one side and between the river and Hawea on the other—it was 40 miles in length by two miles wide —and the bulk of it was eminently suitable for fruit-growing. If that area wore under cultivation it could easily produce the sum of £3.000.000 annually for fruit, and though that could not perhaps bo done at once, the land was there waiting ami a very large portion of it could be utilised without any irrigation whatever. There were terraces running along much of the land and taking some water on to it, while all of it would come under cultivation under dry farming —a system of farming that was not very well known in this country In other places where there was a rainfall of Sin excellent crops were obtained, and surely the same result should be achieved in Central Otago, where the rainfall was between 18in and°2sin per annum. It had also been amply proved that dairying could be carried on in Otago Central, as they could giow lucerne, maize, and turnips there with case. Peas and silver beet could also he grown without difficulty, and with a little irrigation grass and clover could be made to produce two or three crops of hay per annum. The question of the railway or of some means of transportation was the most important one before the league.— (“ Hear, hear.”) It was no use the farmers going on broken-hcartedly putting in crops with no possible chance of getting them out. The grain merchants told them that they bought, crops in that district, but it might be three or four months before they got them on the market. That meant .poor prices for the farmer and dissatisfaction for the merchants. A railway for Central Otago was a national necessity, and the country now lying idle was waiting to be developed. How or when that railway was to go in was a matter for the Government to decide, but it was for the members of the league to urge the necessity for immediate action. If the railway was not to go forward on the heavy gauge, then the sooner they made up their minds ns to some other class of railway the better. Personally, he thought electrification was the proper scheme for Otago Central, as it, would also enable them to instal pumping plants and pump the water from the rivers on to the

land. The possibilities of the tourist traffic were also well worth consideration by the Government, because the district around Hawea and Wanaka possessed wonderful at tractions in (he _jvay of scenery, climate, and moans for indulging in various forms of sport. -If the Government was not prepared to take the railway on at once, ho thought they should get some sort of guarantee that it would be carried on in five or eight or nine years’ time. That would encourage settlers to go on the land to provide produce against the coming of the railway, and he had no hesitation in saying tnht in 10 or 15 years’ time the country would go ahead by leaps and bounds. While the railway was banging fire they should get the Government to devote some money to the roadways, as the county councils could not altogether cope with that matter. Even if £IO,OOO or £20,000 were voted towards this object motor traffic would bo assured during the autumn and winter months, instead of only during certain months, as at present, and produce could be brought straight down to the city. The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr A. Mori-tzson said that for several years the league had made it its business to disseminate facts regarding this vast country, which was a support to the city of Dunedin. Last week ho had attended the annual dinner of the Chamber of Commerce, and during a discussion on Harbour Board matters one of the speakers had called upon the board to ‘‘ ca’ canny,’’ and not to launch out into a big expenditure, warning it tluat there was no big back country here to support the harbour like there was in Australia. He (Mr Moritzson) would like to take advantage of die opportunity to contradict such a statement, and it was not desirable that it should go forward unchallenged. He went on to refer to the trip made through the Otago Central by the northern members of Parliament, and said that ho was satisfied that the exports that went from the harbour of Otago could be doubled, trebled, or even quadrupled, provided there were proper moans afforded of opening up' the Otago Central. A million acres wore still in the hands of five Government, and it was not alone what that country could produce, but there were people now settled on the land who could produce more from their holdings than they did. Grain that had been sold in March was still being delivered, and farmers wore at their wits’ eyd in the matter of transport. Farmers did not cultivate to the fullest extent as a consequence. Reverting to what had been stated at the Chamber of Commerce dinner, he said it was absolute folly and almost criminal for persons to get up and say that we had no back country. Everyone who bad been through the Otago Central knew better. Mr George Fenwick said one point seemed to have been omitted by the previous speakers. Some months ago a deputation had waited upon the Hon. Mr Fraser, Minister of Public "Works, and the prosecution of the Otago Central railway had boon brought very prominently before him. They had been assured by the Hon. Mr Fraser that ho had the matter under his most serious considerat on, and ho IMr Fenwick) thought it was only fair to the Minister to say that he had manifested a very groat interest in the construction ot Hi/e line, and it should not be assumed tuat tlie Government was not anxious to carry the line forward so as to provide means of transport. The Hon. Mr Fraser had been looking into the question of hght rarwav-.. He (Mr Fenwick) did not know what .the opinion of members of the league mignt be with regard to a light railway, but with Iho. limitation-' of funds, which must continue for some years, could they exp-.ct a large expenditure on rolling .stock. lie knew there were difficulties in the way, and that there were those who did not eliove in light railways but if they wanted to "ct transport of produce for the rarmeis in "the far-away parts of Central .aagn, they should recognise the fact that it was only by a light railway anything immediate could bo accomplished. . 1 hey had been agitating for the this line, and they knew that. thru. wn . thousands of men who had practically spent tV-ir lives in the Centra! district waiting, ami hoping against hope, for the construction of the line, and if it was to be a ease of waiting for perhaps another 10 yoars before the railway could be constructed, surely it would bo better to get the.produce earned by a light system, of railway. He felt icrj strongly on the subject, and thought that they should pass a resolution in the matter. He mov*d ■ “That as it is within the knowledge of the league that the Minister of Public Works lias had the question of the further prosecution of the line by means of a system of light railways under ms earnest consideration, the league wishes to affirm its belief that if an early start, can he made with the line tlie system just referred to will meet with the approval of the settlers to bo served by it, and i-m loagno urges the Minister to make* /in oar.y

pronouncement on the subject.” If they did that and urged that there should be no delay in the prosecution of this line by a light railway system they would be doing something to assist the Minister. Ho thought the time had come when they should place something before the Minister and ask him to state definitely whether it was in his power to grant it. His own belief was that by that means they could accomplish what they had been so long striving to attain. Replying to Mr. Burnett Mr Fenwick said ho thought they should keep to the gauge but have a more lightly constructed line. _ Mr Sargood seconded the motion, and in doing so expressed the opinion that sooner or later the heavy system of railways in that part of the country would be abandoned for something lighter—either electrical or otherwise. The motion was carried.

On the motion of Mr W. T. Talboys, seconded by Mr 11. Nees, it was decided that those present should form the executive for the ensuing 12 months. The motion was extended to include the present members, and power was given to add to the number.

PRESENTATION TO MR MORITZSON. The Chairman then presented Mr Moritzson with an illuminated testimonial, and in doing so referred to his excellent services to tho league and to his “ irrepressible optimism” in that service. Mr Moritzson was really an ambassador for Central Otago, and ho (the speaker) had never known anyone devote more energy to a cause than did Mr Moritzson to Central Otago. He then handed him a large and handsomely illuminated testimonial endorsed in the following words: —‘‘On behalf of the Otago Central Railway League and visiting members of Parliament from tho North Island we desire to tender you our sincere thanks for the excellent arrangements that were made for, and the completeness of the organisation of the recent tour of members of Parliament and citizens interested in the development of Central Otago. We feel sure that whatever good may ensue from the trip will, in a great measure, be duo to you, and wo therefore ask your accoptance*'of this slight testimonial of appreciation and thanks. Then followed 30 signatures of members of Parliament, members of the league, and others.

Mr Barnett also added a few words in appreciation of Mr Moritzson’s services to the league, after which the recipient suitably replied. A voto of thanks to the secretary (Mr H. C. Campbell) for his work during the past year concluded the meeting.