NORTHERN RAILWAY EXTENSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4506, 3 October 1882, Page 3

NORTHERN RAILWAY EXTENSION.

A public meoting, convened by the Mayor of Kaiapoi, was held in the Hall ot Iho Institute, Eaispoi, laet night. Aftor waiting till nearly half-past eight, the Mayor was voted to the chair, only eighteen persons .being in the Hall. The Mayor explained that he had been

ml^^™™™'^i*uMW*n*ammßnr"''riw!h*tMnmmmmMmma m absent in tho North Island when the Borough Council had paaaed a reaolution to hold a public n.eeting ; and the gentlemen who hud moved in the matter wero not present. He therofore callod for aomo one to bring forward a resolution. No ono responding to » thricerepeated invitation, the Moyor declared the meeting adjourned sine die. Mr Isaac Wilson, M.H.R., who was present, cam« forward, and said that though ho did not expect to speak on the subjeot, he wished to put himself right with his constituents. He had heard that he was aocuaed of having supported the^ East Coast railway. He had always declared himeelf opposed to the connection with Cook Straits at preaent in any shape, seeing that there was no country through wbich the line could run which would give nny guarantee of return from it. Moreover, the country was far too young for the construction of tho lino. He believed the only reaaon that the Eost Coast line waa thought of waa that it formed a portion of the main trunk acheme of 1870. He should always support the route to the Wost Coast, but had not spoken on the question whon before the Committee of the Houee. The preaont vote would only take the line toa point which would answer the purpose of all threo of the proposed routes ; and the matter had been doforred till next session, when the report of the Commission would be received. He waß glad to see the agitation that had been taking place, as he waa well aware of the great importance of tho West Coast line, and considered that Canterbury waa entitled to at leasfc £400,000 towards this work. (Oheers). Mr G. H. Blackwell Baid that the small attendance did not denote apathy, but the opinion generally formed was that it was too late to do any good by agitating, as the matter had been virtually shelved. Mr R. Woodford denounced the East Coast line bb impracticable ; and considered it worse tban madness to try to compete against the seaboard traffic. Mr E. Bevell moved—" That in the opinion of the meeting any extension of the Northern line ahould be in the direction of the Weßt Coaat." This was seconded by Mr Woodford and carried. A vote of thanks to the Ohairman closed the proceedings.