RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4544, 16 November 1882, Page 3

RAILWAY LEAGUE.

A meeting of the Committee of the Bailway League waa held in Mr T. 8. Weston's office laßt evening ; present — Mr W. Ohryufcall (Chairman), and Messrs T. S. Western, J. Joyce, D. Beese, B. D. Thomas, Wickes, Thornton, Johnston (Ohristohurch), Vinoent, J. G. Buddenklau, A. Gh Howland, T. B. Craig, W. D. Mearea, Higgine, T. Pavitt, Johnston (Rangiora) and F. Jones. Mesßrs Thornton and Wickes were elected on the Committee. The Hon B. Richardson and Messrs Button and Scott were, elected members of the Oommittoe, with a recommendation for their election as members of the League ; &b were also Messrs John Holmes, M.H.8., B. W. England, T. 0. Kelsey, H. W. Packer, H. Thomson, M.H.8., H. Blackett (Bangiora), J. Inglis, W. 8. King and W. Tinline. The Bank of New Zealand was chosen as hankers of the League. The Chairman suggested that the various bodies represented should be requested to eubßoribe £5 each towards the funds of the League. Mr Joyce moved— "That teH members form a quorum." Mr Johnston (Ghristchurch) thought seven would be a sufficiently large quorum. Mr Buddenklau seconded Mr Joyce's mo* tion, which was agreed to j the Chairman to have an original and a casting vote. Mr Joyce moved — "That the Chairman, with Messrs Pavitt and Vincent, be a Finance Committee." He did not think that the Boroughs represented could vote subscriptions, though individual members of the local bodies could subscribe. Mr Thomas thought that some qualification, in the way ef a subscription, should be required from every member of the League. Mr Weston supported the remarks of Mr Joyce as to the legality of local bodieß voting funds, tie would again costribute his mite to the cause, and felt that those who pro* f eased enthusiasm should choir their enthusiasm in a substantial manner. Certain gentlemen who had formerly opposed the West Coast line were coming round, notably one who had that morning written to a newspaper, i gentleman who had. Home time ago insulted Messrs Packer, Wickes, Thornton and himself, by stigmatising the West Coast railway scheme as a swindle. He would go round, with hat in hand, if necessary, in order to secure funds, for a work which he felt convinced would yet become an accomplished fact. . ; Mr Johnston (Ohristohuroh) considered there was nothing to prevent local bodies raising Bubsoriptions within their own district. Mr Howland felt there would be no difficulty in raising money. He had already been promised £10. Mr Higgina thought the League might take the shape of the Middle Island Aisooiation of some years ago. That body was composed of subscribing members and acquired great influence. Mr Beese considered that the manner of raising funds might be left in the hands of the Finance Committee. Mr Joyce's -resolutioa was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Buddenklau thought that information and statistics should be immediately collected, in order that they might be laid before the Commission who were to be here shortly. Mr Beese remarked that a telegram in the evening paper said that the Boyal Commission would be in Christohuroh on Friday (tomorrow). Mr Joyce suggested the names of Meßsra Thornton, Howland, Inglis, and Weston as those of the Committee. The Chairman read the telegram re the Commission as published in the Star. Mr Johnston (Ohristchuroh) called attention to a discrepancy between the statements of the Hon Messrs Bolleston and Johnston as to the limits of the Boyal Commission's enquiries. Mr Thornton informed the Committee that Government had asked him for copies of all reports and correspondence re the East and Weet Coast route. Mr Howland thought that Mr WynnWilliams' letter pointed in the direction of the line being referred to the Commissioners with the foregone conclusion that they would report against it. He believed there was a scheme to get the League to ask for a report which would damn the fiast Coast line. Mr Thomas, having read the Commission as published in the Gazette, could not see how the Commissioners could report upon the East and West Coast line. The members composing the Commission were almost sure to damn the line. The appointment of men from Auckland and Otago pointed in that direction. The Chairman said that the Hon the Minieter for Publio Works had stated that the Commission were authorised to report upon all the possible routes. If the League acknowledged that the Commission were only to examine and report upon a main trunk line, it might well report against the West Coast lino as a main trunk line. The question for the League to consider, he thought, was whether the line should be from North Canterbury, via the Hope Saddle, or from South Canterbury, via Arthur's Pass. Mr Boese was of opinion that the Commission should be treated with confidence, until it was found to be unworthy of confidence. If the Boyal Commission treated the League with disrespect, then the Canterbury representatives would feel bonnd to espouse tho cause of the League. Mr Johnston (Chrislchurch) thought that the Commissioners should be asked to state poiitirely whether thoy were in the position to take ovidence with respect to the West Coast lino. If thoy were, thoy should be supplied with information ; if thoy wero not it would bo useless to give them any information Mr Boese thought that a sub-Commilteo should be appointed to collect information. Mr Howland thought the Commission should bo askod to obtain information, but not to report upon it, with regard to the West Coast line. Mr fileares had, with tho Hon E. Bichardson, examined the terms of the Commission, and they had come to tho conclusion that the Commissioners wero empowered to examine the lino via Boofton, whioh was a main trunk line, according to the Government proposals in 1872 and 1874. After what the Minister for Public Works had said on the previous day, ho folt convinced that the Commission would report upon that line. Mr Buddenklau moved — "That a Committee, consisting of Messrs Thornton, Weston, Howland, J. Inglis, Beese, and Richardson, be appointed to oolloct statistics and information regarding the different proposed routes northwards and to the West Coast." Mr Higgins believed that the Commissioners could shelter thomsolveß under the reading of the Commission, whioh was so worded that it might bo read in more than one way. He felt convincod that the Commissioners weuld road it bo aB to make it preclude them from concidering tho West Coast line. He hold that the Canterbury people wore not to submit to tho vordiot of the Commissioners, who, he believed, would be entirely hostile to Canterbury. No harm could como from their having information furnished to them, but he (Mr Biggins) did not hope for much good to result from it. Mr Joyce suggested that tho sub-Committee should be empowered to wait upon the OomI mission. Questions could bo prepared to k which the Commission would have to give answers, yes or no. A favourable roport 1 from tho Commission would groatly influenco Parliament. Let the League, therefore, en--1 deavour to convince them, but not taut them.

In the meantime let the League go steadily on, and show a determination to get the Weßt Coast line. Mr Westoa agreed with Mr Thomas that the Commission could regard the West Coast line up to the Top House only in so far as it could fit in with the main trunk line. That was the reason why he had urged that the deputation to the Minister for Publio Works should insist that the policy of 1873 should be borne in mind by the Commission when making their report. His idea was that the Commission should be asked if it was within their power to report upon the West Coast line, and if they replied in the affirmative they should have submitted to them the various routes. As to the Commission be, as a member of the House, took strong exception to its constitution. The Commission waß not a proper one in any sense of the term, and no doubt the members of the House would pick it to pieces next session. Mr Howland deprecated any recognition of the Commission, as such recognition would bind the League to abide by its decision. (No.) He believed the Commission waß appointed in order to relieve Government of any responsibility. The reference should have been to the people of Canterbury, and not to any Commission. Mr Beose believed tbat the main trunk line would be found to have originully been from Chriatchurch to Westland, and from Westland to Nelson. He would read Mr Macandrew's statemeat on the Five Million Loan of 1878. (Mr Beese read the statement, in which Mr Macandrew declared that he preferred the line from Amberley to Hokitika to that from Ambsrley to Cook Strait. The schedule contained "Amberley to Brunoerton, £95,000.") Mr Bolleston, in October of mat year, had opposed Mr Macandrew's proposal, while admitting that the line was the only proper communication with Nelson, and the most important line in the Colony. The main trunk line to Cook Strait meant the line to Nelson, and was clearly within the scope of the Boyal Commission. The intention of the present Government, as indicated by the Appropriation Act, was to construct the East Coast line. Mr Thornton pointed out that the line to the Bed Post was common to the West Coast line, and the East Coast line. Mr Joyce suggested that the details should be looked into by Bub-Oommitteea, and that the business of the general Committee should be done at meetings every Wednesday evening, commencing at half-past seven, and closing at half -past niae sharp. Mr Pavitt thought that the Commission should be met in as candid a spirit as possible, and should be furnished with all possible information. Great oare should be taken with the figures submitted. He assumed tbat the purport of their report would bo made public before Parliament met, and if it should be adverse to the views of the League, then further action should be taken without delay. Mr Wickes thought it due to Sir John Hall to cay that the Government, when that gentleman was Premier, had recognised the Ada Pass route. The Chairman considered the sub-Com-mittee should be prepared to Bay which route was preferable. Mr Pavitt said that Mr Bichardson was of opinion that the Arthur's Pass route could not be used for heavy traffic, and would be very expensive. The sooner the Hokitika people could be shown the substantial reasons for preferring the Ada Pass the better. Mr 'lhornton said that the line by Arthur's Pass, which had been recommended by Messrs Slair and O'Connor, had a grade of 1 in 7 for one mile 34 chains, in addition to a tunnel of three miles and ten chains at the summit. While, mile for mile, it would be as expensive aB the Ada PaBS route, it would pass through a country carrying very inferior timber. The Ada Pass route had been proved to be the best. Its worst grade would be 1 in 50. Over the Hurunui Saddle there was a grade of 1 in 15, and there waß a very heavy grade by the Hope Saddle. The names of Messrs Button, Pavitt, ChryBtall, and B. G. Wright, M.H.8., were added to the sub-Committee who were also appointed a deputation to wait upon the Boyal Commission. Mr Joyce moved— "That the General Committee meet every Wedneiday evening at half-past seven, and that no new business be taken up after half-past nine." This was agreed to. Mr Johnston (Christchurch) urged that the only leverage likely to move the present Ministry was the holding of meetings to pledge representatives to oppose any Government that did not support the West Coast line. It was resolved that the President and Chairman should be ex qfficio members of all Committees. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.