Seaward Bush Railway

Southland Times, Issue 19492, 24 February 1905, Page 2

Seaward Bush Railway

As recent reports from our Tokonui

and Waikawa correspondent have shown an active move has been made by the Tokonui Railway League in the direction of urging upon the Minister of Public Works the extension of the Seaward

Bush railway by the Tokonui route and no other. This involves a reversion to a position which existed some years ago, and which proved an insuperable obstacle to progress with the work. When the Tokonui route was strongly urged before, the Minister’s reply was that some favoured Tokonui and others favoured Waimuhaka, and that while this division of opinion existed he could hardly • be expected to do anything. Again, tho Minister pointed out that if

tlie Tokonui route alone would satisfy, the settlers, and the engineer advised him that there were great engineering difficulties to that route, then he hardly knew what action to take. These objections were overcome when the Toko-i nui League withdrew from its position and agreed witli the Invercargill League, the Waikawa League, and other branches.

to allow the Minister an entirely free, hand in the matter of the route, maintaining a strictly neutral position, and leaving him unembarrassed to act upon advice of the Departmental experts. On. this understanding the Minister coldno longer answer that he met with abstractions on account of differences in> local opinion. Tie had only to ascertain which was the better route to takein the general interest, and proceed with the railway extension along that routes The Tokonui branch is now disposed to withdraw from the agreement to ob-> serve neutrality, and, from what our correspondents’ letters have, shown, it has sent delegations to the Waikawa and Haldane Leagues. By the formerthe proposal to advocate the Tokonui

route against any other was rejected, but, the Haldane branch endorsed the action of the Tokonui League. It was decided that members ot the Invercargill League should bo invited to a conference to discuss the question at Wannahaka, and at a meeting of the Invercargill League held yesterday afternoon it was decided that as many representatives as possible should proceed to WaimShaka on Wednesday afternoon, Sth March, with the object of discussing the best policy to be followed in regard to the Seaward Bush extension during the coining session. A short time ago a telegram was received from the Hon. the Minister of Public Works stating that he had instructed the inspecting engineer Mr Holmes, to make the long-promised survey. It was resolved to notify Mr Hall-Jones of the conference at Waimahaka with a view to having Mr Holmes present. The Tokonui and othei branches will be notified of these proposed arrangements and an effort will be made to bring about, a representative and influential conference.