THE RAILWAY DEVIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 213, 14 September 1901, Page 2

THE RAILWAY DEVIATION.

PUBLIO MEETING. DEPUTATION TO PROCEED TO WELLINGTON, A FAIRLY well attended public meeting was held in the Council Chambers on Friday evening, to consider the question of the deviation of the railway line through tli3 town. The Mayor (Mr E. Dockrill) presided, and in introducing the subject explained that some time ago, on learning that the Goverumont had made a flying survey of a new line, he, with others had communicated withMr Cadman (then Minister for Railways) urgI ing the pushing on with a new line, as v ,he present line was dangerous to life, Che Minister had replied that the Demrtment recognised that the present ■oute was unsuitable, but that the first leed was to provide more rolling stock, ['he Mayor said he had since then in;erviewed Sir Joseph Ward on the lame subject, He had also mentioned ;o Sir Joseph that the line should be auilfc along the foot of the clifls, thus preventing further erosion. The Minister replied that o*iog to the expense of maintenance, that could not be undertaken.

Mr W. L. Newman mentioned what had happened at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. Prom what the chairman had said to-night, it would appear the Government had had the matter under consideration, and it would no doubt not require a great ideal of urging to push on with the work.

Mr J. B. Connetb eaid that if the Government knew where the line wag to go, it should notify the puMic. He instanced his own case. He bad built a houso, and now found the propo-ed line would run right through it. He did not know why the line was ever built in its present r<u»e, as a better grade could have been secured, at a mach cheaper rate, along the coast. It showed bid business on the part of the Government. He thought that now was the time to move, after these accidents, and send a deputation to urge on the work. Mr Newton King asked if it was

proposed to Bend the Mayor, in conjunction with the President of the Chamber of Commerce, The Mayor replied that if a depu-, tation were sent, it should have all imformation procurable. He was not sure that any great advantage would accrue from the visit, as the matter 4 had been under consideration by the Government for a long time. Mr Connett thought they would be quite justified, in view of the recent' accidents, in pressing the matter of the j deviation. | Mr King agreed. The Government I had all the information ns to values of; the land. The crossings were dangei ous! and the Government would no doubt alter the line—if it was kept up to it ! by the pub'ic of New Plymouth. | Mr W. A. Collis agreed. i Mr R. Cock thought it a shame that ] our Parliamentary representative had not given the people a chance to have a representative m the House at present. He would no doubt have been gi?en au opportunity to be re-electod iater on. As it was, tbey should get the assistance of Messrs McGuire and Symes in the matter, He moved that the Mayor proceed to Wellington in conjunction with the President of the Chamber of Commerce, to urge on the Government the matter of the deviation of the line.

Mr Kin g seconded. j Mr Butterworlh said Sir Joseph I Ward had stated he wished to get the ] line off the street 1 , at the earl'est moment. Therefore he (Mr Butterworth) did not see that a deputation would do much good. Mr F. W. Webster thought the deputation should go to Wellington at the earliest possible date. Mr Stohr thought a representative from the public meeting should be seat, in addition to the Mayor (as representing the Borough Council), and the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and suggwted that Mr Newton King's nanid be added to the deputation, i

The resolutions were then put and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding terminated the meeting.