FORMATION OF A LOCAL BRANCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5562, 9 March 1886, Page 3

FORMATION OF A LOCAL BRANCH.

A meeting of the burgesses was held last night in the Oddfellows' Hall, Kaiapoi, the Mayor, Mr R. Moore, presiding. In opening the meeting his Worship read the advertisement calling the meeting, which stated that the business to be laid before those present was the formation of a branch Committee of the West Coast Railway League, to take charge of subscription lists, and supervise and facilitate the registration of votes in the Kaiapoi district, and any other business which might forward the interests of the West Coast Railway. THE MAYOR'S SPEECH. Hia Worship said that in taking the ohair, he did bo with considerably altered feelings. When the first Railway League meeting had been held in that hall, he had taken no active part in it, because he could not approve of the scheme of having the line constructed by a foreign syndicate. At that time there was great diversity of opinion. Some held that the Government were the proper parties to construct the line ; some gave it as their opinion that the line was not required; but the most popular opinion was that the offer of Meiggs and Company ought to be accepted. Now that this offer had fallen through, he would take this opportunity of doing justice to the cause by saying that he considered — arranged for on any reasonable terms — the East and West Coast Railway would be the most desirable thing that this part of the Colony could have. The people of Canterbury were unanimous in asking for it. The present terrible depression under which we were labouring had been adduced by some people as a reason for having the work put in hand. He thought it a very good reason too, although this was but one of many reasons which could be brought forward in favour of its construction. Some people were for having it constructed on any terms; but he might say, that in a work of suoh magnitude, entailing the expenditure of such a largo amount of money, very careful consideration waa required. Had we agreed to tho contract accepted by the delegates, we should have parted with land equivalent in area to all the land sold in the Canterbury Province. This scheme he never approved of. He was not advocating the constrnction of this line from any selfish motive, not merely with a view to spending large gums of public money in Canterbury with a hope of getting part of the plunder, but for the reason that he considered it would be a grand thing for the whole Colony. According to the beat authorities it was considered that this railway would at least pay 2 per cent, from the date of construction. Canterbury had received so far but Bcant justice at the hands of the Central Government, and she had a perfect right to demand this railway, not aB a favour, but as a right. Considerable apathy had for some time past been displayed by people over this question, but a re-action had now Bet in, and everyone was waking up to the interest at stake. The total cost of the proposed line from Springston to Brunnerton, and from Brunnerton to Nelson, was estimated at £3,130,000, and the Hon the Minister for Public Works gave it as his opinion in the House that if constructed by the Government during the next three years, it could be done well within that margin. If it was constructed by a private Company, Government would, sooner or later, have to purchase it, as it would never answer their purpose to allow any private Company to hold such a large estate. That would be detrimental to the prosperity of the Colony. Re the question of local taxation for railway construction, he could see nothing unreasonable in that. Owner* of large estates could hardly

grumble at being asked to contribute their | quota of oost and maintenance, when the i increased value of their properties was | considered. But it was Bimply absurd to ex- ! pect the people of Canterbury to allow them- j selves to be specially taxed for a work j to benefit the Colony at large. Had a •reign Company been the successful tenderer for this line, they would no doubt have gone into the cheapest market for labour; but by doing the work ourselves we cevold find something for our unemployed to do, and tide over our present depression. The people of Wellington, who opposed this line, Bhould remember that they ; bad had % great deal more of the publio revenue spent there than they had any right to expect; and it was equally well known that Canterbury i j had not had her just dues by one and ; a half millions. Our farmers, owing to , j low prices, were unable to employ anything ■ j like the amount of labour they used to do, j '■ and the result was that men whom we i were taxed to import into the country i were compelled to emigrate to more con- j genial shores. Theee were facts which could j not be disputed ; and more was the pity to ! see the wealth of the country draining away. He was afraid he had rather trespassed j on the patience of the audience. He had j prepared some resolutions which would i now be laid before them. But before this ! was done he would like to say that the League were having a pamphlet printed, and were making arrangements to send lecturers to all centres of population, so as .to educate the people. All this would cost money : about .£2OO. Part would no doubt be raised by subscription ; the balance it was proposed to provide by the sale of . medals at 2s Gd each. These medals constituted membership. He would be happy to enrol members and supply them with ; medals. Ho would now call on Mr C. ' Oram to propose TUB FIRST RESOLUTION. ! Mr Oram in rising said he quite agreed ; with the Mayor that this great work would be much better done by the Govern- ' ment than by a syndicate. He would now; propose the first resolution as follows: — " That a Branch Committee of the Railway League be established at Kaiapoi, whose business should be — First: To induce persons to join the League ; second : To take charge of subscription lists ; third: To facilitate the registration of voters in the Kaiapoi District." • Mr W. R. May seconded the proposition, which was carried unanimously. The Mayor then called upon Mr T. fJaflagher to propose J THE SECOND RBBO&UTION. . Mr Gallagher said he was very pleased ; to see Mr R. Moore a convert to the League. ' He was of opinion that the cry against ; the Meiggs' contract in the House was got up by people who did not want to see this ; line made at any price. But our business | was now to have this railway on the best I possible terms. He was happy to say the i credit of the Colony was N good enough to ; borrow any amount of money on. He was sorry to add this remark did not apply : to many of the Colonists. Now, the business of this meeting was to elect a Committee who would put their shoulders to the wheel and push the work along, in order to accomplish the end in view. Some of the West Coast farmers did not care to see this railway come their way. At present they • were getting from Is 6d to Is 9d for their | butter, iJlO.per ton for their potatoes, and 6s 6d to 5s 9d for their oats. Whilst miners' wages were 10s per week, plenty of mines were lying idle, because the owners could not afford to pay more than £2 10a per week wages, and show a profit. The West Coast goldflelds were yet in their infancy, and with increased transport, whole tracts of country at present lying idle would become payable goldflelds. He would now propose the following gentlemen as a Railway League Committee for the Kaiapoi district: — Messrs Blakeley, Kidd, May, Humphreys, Brighting, Oram, Nalder, Simpson, Hicks, Blaokwell, Hansen, Wilson, Sims, Fraser, Smethurst, Robins, Butts, Feldwick, Parnham, M'Sweeny, R. Coup, and C. Wright. The resolution having been adopted, a I hearty vote of thanks to the Mayor termiI nated the meeting.