RAILWAY LEAGUE.

West Coast Times, Issue 6230, 1 June 1886, Page 2

RAILWAY LEAGUE.

A public meeting was held in the Town Hall last evening for the purpose of discussing various matters that had taken place in connection with tbe East and West Coast Ra'lway. His Worship the Mayor, who occupied the chair, said the meeting bad been called in deference to tbe wishes expressed at a meetiog of the League held in the County Council Chambers on Saturday night. He read the following telegram f-.ova Mr Seddon, which explained itself :— Midland Railway ; Menteatb's question re diversion, need cause no alarm. House alone can alter; the majoti.y in faror of present route aud no delay; the danger of interference with mining operations now being averted by legislation. Agitations favor loop to Kuruara branch to Rocky Point, and asking for survey, and data cannot possibly be detrimental to progress of eifc'ier or both works. The connection with Kumara means six miles nearer Rocky Point, 20 tar aa explained at present; concessions asked for by Syndicate are reasonable; the difficulty re anriforous lands being removed intention to tbe beßt of my ability to further the early commencement of tbe great national work. . He considered the telegram was cmioently satisfactory ; it had been thought necessary to censure Mr Soddou for his action, «he now considered it would be more fitting to move a vote of thanks. | Mr Jack came forward and said he was very pleased Mr Seddon had explained himself in the way he had. It certainly ! looked as if he had been act ; ng pre- ' judicially to the interests of the line, but now things wore a different aspect. He had mack pleasure in moving a vote of ! thanks to Mr Seddon for his telegram, , and for the assistance he was rendering the line. Mr Seddon had no intention of hindering the work, I Mr Michel seconded the resolution, and ! in doing so differed from, the previous speaker, inasmuch as he thought all the time Mr Seddon was doing what he could for the line. Whatever Mr Seddon might do, no matter how he might oppose the Government, he certainly would not do so on the railway question. He did not ask for a deviation, only for a line vifc Kumara .to Bocky Point. The Mayor then read the telegram and resolution, and invited expressions of opinion from the meeting. Mr Hudson said he was astonished at i the sudden change of opinion exhibited by some present in that room. On Saturday night they were burning with 1 indignation against Mr Seddon, and now ■ they were equally warm in his praises. There was no mistake about Mr Seddon's change of front. It had not only been remarked by the localpress but also by the papers throughout the colony ; they had only to go to the reading room in that building to see what was said. It was unwise to agitate for a deviation or for a new line until the present one was safe. They had already experienced the fruits of Mr Seddon's attempts at devation, but for which the GrreyHokitika line would have been finished. Mr Park supported the resolution because he thought Mr Seddon was doing his best for the district. He thought it far better if we connected with G-reymouth and the Christ church line via Rocky Point than if we bad merely the line along the beach; He did not think, if the one line was constructed, we had much chance of a connection with the main line. Mr Jack wished to explain that Mr Seddon did not ask for a deviation but only for a survey of a line to conntct us with the Christcburch line. In view of the allocation of a million and a half loan, it was desirable to have the surveys and estimates ready. The Mayor then put the resolution which he declared carried unanimously. He also put a motion, expressing thanks . to the member for the d'stricf, Mr Bevan, for his exertions, and one directing him (the Major) tj telegraph to Government re railway mattery which were declared carried unanimously. The rreeting tbeu separated.