THE WAIUKU RAILWAY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 21, 31 July 1912, Page 3

THE WAIUKU RAILWAY.

Mauku League Meeting. Cheerful Prospects. The annual mooting of the Mauku lirrach of the Waiuku Railway held on Wednesday, 24th Patumahoe Hall. As a gootMe&l of expense had been incurred in sending n delegate to Wellington and Auckland the accounts showed a debit balance of 13s 10d, the total receipts for the year being £7 18s lOd. The President (Mr Joseph llenry) reported the passage of another year without our railway being accomplished, but the prospects of the line being constructed in the immediate future were much brighter than ever before. In the past the changes of Government had necessitated traversing the ground ever and over again with the oflu ials— but now another change, a change for the better, and one which he ho]>ed would be permanent, had come. This time our owu representative, Mr Massey, has become leader of the Government. For the first time we were represented not only by a Cabinet Minister, but by the Premier of the Dominion, and they should be proud of the honor conferred upon the electors. For years they had been governed by a Southern Ministry, hut now they had practically a North Island administ'ation, which would do justice to all parts of the Dominion. In doing this they believed the Government would see that the long-delayed and pressing requirements of the north were attended to, ar'ongst them boing our long-promised branch railway from the main line to Waiuku. The Prime Minister had consistently and energetically urged the construction of this lailway on various Cabinets ior many years ; now Mr Massey was in power and with him at least one Minister who had pronounced upon the railway as strongly and as favorably as Mr Massey himself. As President he congratulated them on the nearness of the realisation of their hopes. It had been a long fight, longer than our representative's for the Premiership ; the one was gained and the other was in sight. He suggested to the annual meeting to register its appreciation of his long advocacy of the line, to tender their congratulations to Mr Massey on his accession to the exalted position he now holds, to remind him of their long wait for the facilities which this line would afford, and to urge an early commencement of this very desirable work. The suggestions and the address were unanimously adopted and it was resolved to send a copy to the Premier, the Minister for Public Works and the press Mr John Schlaepfer agreed t) act as delegate from Mauku and represent the matter and personally present a report to all members of Parliament he would meet at the coming Reform piarty's conference. It was proposed to appoint a paid man to canvass the district to collect funds for the coming year but as no one present seemed inclined for the job Mr Leek volunteered to give a day if some others would do the same. This was promptly accepted by Messrs Kemp, Cuff and Lichfield. Mr H. Wily proposed and Mr Pleydell seconded : That this meeting most heartily congratulates the member for the district (Mr W. F. Massey) upon having attained the position of Prime Minis- * ter of the Dominioii, appreciates most thoroughly the steadfast courage with which he has fought so long for the principles he holds, and fervently trusts he may long have health, strength and a sufficient Parliamentary majority to enable him to carry those principles into effect." This was canied unanimously. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year President, Mr J. Henry; vice-presidents, Messrs Golds worthy and T. A. Kemp , secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Finlay; auditor, Mr H. Wily; committee, Messrs Pleydell, Cuff, F. Kavanagh, senr, Lichfield, C. Crispe, Schlaepfer, . Howard. Warin and W. Howe.