The Seaward Bush Railway Extension

Southland Times, Issue 19036, 2 May 1903, Page 4

The Seaward Bush Railway Extension

A DEPUTATION FROM WAIKAWA

Yesterday afternoon the Mayor, with Messrs R. J. Gilmour, J. Crosby Smith, W. N. Stirling and W. A. Ott, members of the Southland 1 tailway League, met a deputation of Waikawa settlers consisting of Mossrs J. Robson, Haldane and Coster, to confer on the question of the route of the Seaward Busti-Catlins railway*

Mr. Coster, as spokesman, said that the League were aware that of the two routes— Waimahaka and Tokonni — the depai'tment favoured the former, on the ground of cheapness and directness. A certain part^ of the i district had strongly favoured the totonui route, but in the Waikawa district they had been indifferent, requiring only that it should be pushed ahead as rapidly as possible. The Minister of Public Works had now ( inspected the two routes and it was felt that he could give his decision and .allow the line to be constructed one way or the other. The Waikawa settlers had had no opportunity of interviewing him as he passed through, being unaware of the time, but they were now taking action to lay their views before him. They felt that if the Government were prepared to go on with the line as surveyed to Tokonui, well and good, and they would be pleased to see- a start made. But on the other hana, if they could not see their way to go on to Tokonui they should take the alternative route and push on as speedily as possible. The Waikawa settlers had prepared a petition which was now in circulation in their district, and already bore 50 names, advocating the construction of the line by Waimahaka, provided, of course, that the department are not prepared to go on with the surveyed line to Tokonui. An inducement to" action on their part had been given by the fact that the Wyndham "Valley settlers were inclined to take advantage of the hesitation of the Waikawa people, and were making an effort to get the line extended from Wyndham up the valley, ultimately meeting the Catlins line. Thus the longer they lay idle in consideration of the Tokonui people the longer they would be left without the railway. The directness of "the Waimahaka line was pointed but in thi^petitipfn, its small cost, and that it would reach a valuable tract of timber on the Forest Range, with less expense tK»n would be incurred in tapping the bush south* of Tokonui. If the line were constructed by Waimahaka Valley the same trade would centre towards the line from Tokonui ana the mileage from Tokonui to Waimahaka would not be lost. The Waikawa settlers wished the Invercargill business people to back them up in their efforts, and assist in any way they could to get the railway under construction. The extension to Catlins from Wyndham would start at Wyndham. It had been noticed that Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., was evidently in agreement with those settlers, from remarks he had made. -

Mr Stirling : That would be disastrous to Tokonui.

Mr Coster said that it would be ruinous to the whole district. The Tokonui settlers should be careful not to try to grasp too much or they would lose the whole thing.

.Mr Ott thought that as far as Invercargill was concerned they were at one with the deputation in their desire to have the railway pushed on. Ifc did not matter to them which route it took, and they were quite agreeable that the Minister should settle the question. At first, he believed they were inclined to favour the Tpkonui route, but there was no positive feeling about it' if it came to a question of no line or the line by Waimahaka.

Mr Gilmour said that shortly after the League had been . formed they passed a resolution in favour of the Tokonui route almost without con-

si deration

when the

Afterwards,

question came before the House and was discussed by members the telegrams sent out by the League did not insist on that route, but showed that the whole object was to get the line pushed forward. If the Tokonui route was impracticable from an engineering - point of view, it was desired that a decision in favour of the

line

should be given

Waimahakai

Thus the League's view was entirely - in accord with that of the Waikawa settlers.

Mr Coster said that his district had always remained neutral, and had once informed Mr McNab that they-were indifferent as to the route adopted. Mr McNab replied that as long \as they remained neutral they could not do . much good, and intijnated that, if the district was unani'mousi to> ';i the (XWainiahaka line, it could practically be got for the asking. So from Mr McNab's view the whole thing rested with, the Tokonui people in tlieir adherence to the one; roi»te f

Members of the deputation said that Tokonui township would be only four miles^f rom ;the Waimahaka line. Mr Crosby Smith said that it was desired to get the line made, and to tap the population of Tokonui and Waikawa. In the way of the Tokonui : Valley route there was the engineering difficulty. The Minister intended to have the line re-surveyed to see if they' could get up the hill from Tokonui with anything like _a grade. It would cost a good deal of money, and would cost more for haulage for all time: . The Minister would reserve, his decision till^ the line was~ re-surveyed,' and then he would announce his decision, so the petition might riot have much effect. The Mayor and Mr Coster said that the petition might influence^ the Minister in coming^ to. a decision. He got opinions from the 'Tokonui- people, and it' was -only; fair. that Waikawa should be considered. Mr Gilmour asked -whether, in the

event of the condemning the Tokbnui route, v the settlers there -s would accept the Waimahaka route. The deputation were unable to give any definite assurance* on this point. —Mr Smith said that if the' Woodsr lee estate were purchased by the Government and settled, there .would soon be population to work on. Mr Coster said that the estate wauld probably be cut up soon in any case, whether the Government bought it or not. — Mr Bobson said thiat the Tokonui route had received their support on account of tapping good country and fair population, but all along they knew that the Waimahaka was the easier and natural route.— Mr Smith remarked that the Minister had some idea than Waikawashould be tapped by steamer, and it would be desirable that the deputation should explain matters to him. — The deputation agreed that the sea service was very unsatisfactory, the best proof of this being the fact that no goods from Waikawa to Invercargill were brought Tjy sea. The presentation of the petition was then considered, and as "the deputation \vished to have it endorsed by the Irivercargill League it was resolved to have it sent to town, with an explanatory letter, and Mr Smith would forward it to the Minister. A resolution, proposed by Mr Stirling arid seconded by Mr Gilmour was passed : "That this meeting concurs with' and endorses the action of the Waikawa Valley League with respect to the petition being sent to ihc Hoii? Hall- Jones giving their views of the various railway routes." The deputation "then requested sup- • port in ato application they had iiiade for the installation of a telephone service to Waikawa. — Mr Crosby Smith said that the Minister had been interviewed at wurious along the route on the same matter. It had been. laid down in the Cabinet that the revenue mu&t .be guaranteed l^fcyVxthe settlers, and there could be ■Ho deyiatioil from that in any case. Mr Smlth^^d^S^tithis; position to be criticise*! " iii ; the' _ ; House:

nexiT session?" as" there i were" "" caWs where hardship was suffered under the regulation. After discussion of minor matters the deputation thanked the Mayor and others and withdrew.