SOUTHLAND RAILWAYS

Southland Times, Issue 17486, 29 July 1915, Page 7

SOUTHLAND RAILWAYS

PUBLIC MEETING AT DRUMMOND. A meeting- which was attended by a large and representative number of the settlers of the Wrights Bush, Drummond, Waianiwa and Heddon Bush districts was held at Drummond yesterday to consider the railway questions as directly affecting the areas mentioned, and to discuss them with members of the Southland League. Mr Lumsdcn, who occupied the chair, welcomed the delegates, who were Messrs W. D. Hunt, A. W. Rodgers and the secretary (Mr C. Campbell). Mr Hunt said that ho was glad to meet those present and have a talk with them on railway matters. A week or two ago he had addressed a similar meeting at Heddon Bush. There they had had a splendid meeting and although they had not come to an agreement they had parted very good friends, and the members of the Southland, League still hoped that the Heddon Bush people would change their views. Continuing, Mr Hunt explained the national and provincial aspect of the New Zealand railways. He traversed the question of the rate of construction and explained the reasons for the slower rate of building, which has for some years past been in vogue. Reference was made to the large amount of expenditure required for improving existing lines, and it was pointed out that the money used in this way did not add a-half mile of railway to the present lines. Mr Hunt indicated the various systems devised for obtaining railways, and ho referred to the political log-rolling which takes place in connection with railway construction. He reviewed the new principle contained in the Local Railways Act of making a district guarantee that its railway would pay, and lie explained the various working clauses of that bill, and detailed tne system of rating and the powers of the board which would have to be appointed. The railway needs of Southland were then discussed and the series of maps prepared in connection with the Southland League’s railway report were explained and the reason for the League’s findings detailed. The proposed lines to serve the settlers present were reviewed and Mr Hunt stated that the area represented was SO,OOO acres of level flat country with hardly a single had patch in it, and from a railway paying point of view it. presented a profitable proposition. The arguments for and against the rival routes were carefully weighed and discussed, and Mr Hunt advised them to form themselves into a railways board and put their railway in from Wights Bush or Waianiwa. (Loud applause.) If any railway in New Zealand would pay, then the one going through this rich district should certainly do so. {Applause. ) If they put in the railway under the Local Railways Act lie felt .sure they would never have to make up any loss. (Applause.) Mr Hunt was loudly applauded at the conclusion of his address. Air A. W. Rodger, in response to a request from the chairman, also spoke, and advocated the putting into operation of the Railways Act. Mr Lumsdcn considered the act one of the best produced in the dominion. He was strongly in favour of the district going right ahead with the proposal, and lie had no fear as to the result.

Mr T. A. Buckingham stated that as it was a representative meeting of ratepayers called for the purpose of considering this railway matter, they were quite within tligir rights in taking up the matter, and lie moved "That this meeting requests the existing Drummond Railway League to immediately take steps to have the proposed railway district defined, the petition prepared, and signatures obtained with a view to having the railway put in under the Local Railways Act.” This was seconded by Mr ,T. Guise and as no amendment was forthcoming the motion was put and carried unanimously. The meeting throughout was most enthusiastic, and gave strong evidence of the determination of the settlers to bring the proposal to a successful issue.