TO-NIGHT'S RAILWAY MEETING.

Colonist, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7535, 23 January 1893, Page 3

TO-NIGHT'S RAILWAY MEETING.

To the Editor of tlie Colonist,

Sir,— The Mayor of Nelson, in calling the meeting, states that between 300 and 400 people had requested him to do so. As one of those who did so, it may seem almost unnecessary to ask you to impress upon your readers the importance, if not the necessity of being present to-night at the Provincial Hall, and thus secure a large, as lam sure there will be an influential attendance. The requisition clearly stated that the object was, to enable the public of the city, and district, "to express their opinion of the great injury and injustice which the Colony, but especially this part of it, has sustained, and continues to suffer from the delay in the progress of the Railway from Nelson to Westland and Canterbury." I am impelled to write these few line's, as some people, unthinkingly, and unfortunately consider that if they attach- their names to a public document, they have done their duty, and that nothing more remains to be done. Eyery man who signed, asked" the Mayor to summon a public meeting in Nelson. It would be a subject for much regret if anyona who made the request, failed to attend, and not only so, but it is his duty, to induce others within the sphere of his influence to accompany him to the meeting. The question for deliberation is of the most vital importance In the history and future progress of Nelson. A contract was solemnly entered into seven or eight years ago to construct a Railway connecting this district with Canterbury and Otago via Westland. Several hundred thousand aores of tho public lands were handed over to the Company as a bonui to oonstruot the line. This land haa been withheld from use and ooou* pation by our own people, and the Govern-, ment of the Colony could neither utilise it nor sell it to persons desirous of settling upon it. This distriot and the Oolony hava thus lost population, and the souroe of production for a considerable period at the earns time. After waiting for nearly eight dreary years, suffering stagnation while other distriots were prospering, there ia after all not a single mile of railway in operation— indeed, not even constructed. The propheoies ot Sir George Grey and other members at the time when this arrangement was made have thus prove! too true. I hope it is not forgotten that the agent and representative- of the Midland Railway Company in New Zealand has stated in Wellington that the people of Nelson were oareless and indifferent abont the matter*

Again., all should reoolleoi that the people of Greymouth have lately, in publio meeting, resolved and have asked the Government to aocede to the proposal lately made by the Company to terminate the existing oontract, and thereby free tbe Oompany from carrying out the line from Nelßon to the Ooast. Onoe more I ask every man who has the slightest interest in the prosperity, I might almost say in the oontinued existenoe of Nelson, to make a point of being at to-night's meeting, and to let their opinions and wishes be mada known to the Government, to the Midland Railway Oompany, and to their fellow oolonistß throughout New Zealand. If these are couched in firm yet temperate language, I am oonfident that Nelson and its settlers will yet obtain strict adherence to good faith and

Justice,