PETITION OF CITIZENS OF DUNEDIN, AND SETTLERS IN BRIGHTON, WANGALOA, AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1879 Session II, J-02

J.—2

Sess. 11.—1879. NEW ZEALAND.

PETITION OF CITIZENS OF DUNEDIN, AND SETTLERS IN BRIGHTON, WANGALOA, AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

Presented by Mr. Murray, 21st October, and ordered to be printed, 30th October, 1879.

To the Honorable the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The Petition of the Citizens of Dunedin, and Settlebs and Eesidents in Bbiohton, Wanoaloa, AND SUBEOUNDING DISTBICTS. Humbly Showeth, — That along the seaboard of Otago, from Green Island to the Clutha Eiver, there exist extensive tracts of country, almost every acre of which is fit for cultivation, the soil as regards fertility being equal to any in the colony. That at Wangaloa there is a Government coal reserve that might be profitably worked. There are also other extensive coal fields of the finest coal in Otago ; while, as far as mineral resources are concerned, the district is one of the richest in the colony. That, in consequence ofa range of hills running on tho north of said districts, all communication with the main south line of railway is cut off, and the formation of ordinary roads is a work all but impracticable, and most expensive. That thus agricultural operations in the district are seriously retarded and rendered unprofitable, while the coal fields and mineral resources remain undeveloped. That, as compared with the importance of numerous other districts to which railway acommodation has been extended, your petitioners consider that tha seaboard above referred to is fully entitled to be placed in the first schedule of railways to be undertaken by the Government. That a Committee of your honorable House has already considered the mutter and recommended that such a line should be constructed. That a line constructed from Green Island via Brighton to Wangaloa and Kaitangata would only be miles in length, and would form a loop line that would greatly relieve the traffic upon the main south line, which, in view of the completion of the branch lines now in course of construction to Tapanui and Catlin's, must soon be overcrowded, and the laying down of double rails be rendered necessary unless said loop line be provided. That in many places the main south line is liable to serious flooding, and the traffic has on several occasions been interrupted in consequence. That the contemplated loop line would always be available for the traffic on such occasions, no part of it being subject to floods. That the said line has been partly surveyed and found to be of unusually easy construction. That almost the whole land required for said line would be given free of charge. That by said line an inexhaustible supply of coal would be rendered available for the City of Dunedin, at a considerable reduction upon the present charges. That, from the great agricultural and mineral resources of the districts through which the line would pass, it is fully believed it would from the first pay more than working expenses and interest on cost of construction, and therefore would prove no burden upon the colony. May it therefore please your honorable House to take the premises into consideration, and authorize the construction of the said line of railway, or do otherwise as may seen just and equitable to the districts referred to. And your petitioners will ever pray. Chables Moegan, (and 68 others.)

By Authority i Geoege Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB79. Price 3d.]