THE MOUNT SOMERS RAILWAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1411, 4 May 1886, Page 3

THE MOUNT SOMERS RAILWAY.

The following petition is in circulation in the AllOrf Forest district, and a copy lies at Messrs Friedlander Bros.’ office, Ashburton for signatures;— To the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, , Wellington. Sib, —We, the undersigned owners and occupiers of agricultural and bush land in Alford Forest district, settlers in Ashburton county, and others interested in the Ashburton branch railway, respectfully request that you will take steps to give effect to a resolution passed by the Ashburton County Council on 3rd July, 1885, which was as follows; —“ That in the opinion of this Council it is expedient that a sum of money be placed on the Estimates sufficient to extend the Mount Somers railway to Springburn.” Your petitioners wish to point out that this extension would bring .the railway into the Alford Forest district, which has always been regarded by the original promoters and the community generally as the natural terminus of the line. The recommendations of C. Napier Bell, Esq., M.S.C.E., the Royal Commissioner who reported on this subject, were a lan go emphatic as to leave no doubt of the propriety of extending the railway across Bowyer’s creek to the vicinity of Springburn, in the Alford Forest district, with the least possible delay. The distance would be about four miles, measuring from the tramway reserve at Mount Somers to the tramway reserve at Springburn, and the work would bo light and inexpensive. As a means of developing this important district, and adding to the prosperity of this part of the colony, we would earnestly request that you give this matter your most favorable consideration.