THE ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 91, 1 June 1877, Page 3

THE ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

(TO THE EDITOR 6f t'b;?; , AKABQA.MAIL.) Sir,—ln your report bjf. ilie first .meeting of the Trust on Tuesday last,, there are statements which -merit attention. It is surprising to observe the' earnestness with which'MessYsGe"bßie/Miirray, v O'Callaghan, and Parkinson;, assarted that they supported the Ellesm,ere. Reclamation, and Railway proposals. Now it is very; Well known that Mr! G-. RiJobliii,"and;others have represented these gentlemen as opposed to these works, especially to ' the .drainage of the lake, which is.an integral and essential element in the railway iclieme. But it would be a matter of 'regret that they should have thrust upon ttoui the; odium that must attach to alii who from interested motives oppose useful ami popular works such as those in quesjion,and.upon which the progress of our county hinges. It therefore becomes a matter Of some moment to determine whether these imputations which were referred: to by Mr. Bell are unfounded or otherwise, whether in fact these gentlemen are justly or,unjustly charged with being influenced by unpatriotic motives. Mr. O'Gallaghan asserts,'indeed, that " the fact of a person standing- for the election was a sufficient proof that he favoured the scheme." But this would .be a most absurd and illogical conclusion to arrive at, and cannot fora moment be admitted. It might with equal reason be alleged that the presence of Russian batallions. on Turkish territory constituted a proof of the favour with which the latter was regarded by the former. If Mr. O'Callaghan and his supporters desire to frustrate the works contemplated by the Trust. They as members of that Trust, occupy a position the most effective for such a purpose. Again, Mr. Murray complains that the Akaroa Mail hauled 'him over the coals, because at a late public banquet he questioned the means to be employed in draining the lake, butadmitting the possibility of errorhere; it should be remembered that it was the Lyttelton Times that reported Mr. Murray's statement, and that Mr. Murray's brother reports for that paper. The Akauoa Mail did but criticise the report that appeared in the Times. Further it must at all events be admitted as at least somewhat singular that Mr. Murray should condemn the Trust, that is, condemn the means devised to accomplish the proposed works, and yet become a member of that Trust. But allowing this to pass, and with a disposition to believe that these gentlemen are sincere in their profession, we are yet

justified in requiring some evidence of such sincerity. At the various public meetings held, advocating the works in question, did .ill or either of them attend support _tlie project, and • influence others, to do likewise V r V.\\-va \\&* :mo a petition which fav)uri'i].«h> works, and 4 knowledjr«' of it was wideiy circulated, for the text of that petition was publish-tl in .-ill our provincial journals. Did all or either of them attach their signatures to that petition ? Further, thre was a report of much value prepared for the Provincial Government, showing how, and at what cost, the proposed works could be executed. Did all or any of these gentlemen investigate this report; and demand that it should be utilised ? I can find no record of all, or either of them having done all or either of these things. And so then, to each of these queries a reply in the negative must be given. Again, in the Little Eiver Riding, no one displayed more energy and activity in efforts to advance the proposed project, than did Mr. E. Joblin. On the occasion of his being nominated for the Trust in that riding, were these gentlemen found among his supporters ? Quite the reverse. On that occasion the apathy that had previously distinguished them was banished, every particle of it, and superseded by electrical energy which storm nor distance could damp, and all this was to oppose the one who had laboured the most effectually and earnestly to advance the works. Finally, in the case of the election of chairman, what is the course pursued ? Why, a gentleman who resides in the Peninsula, and has always done so, whose interests are bound up .with those of the Peninsula, and who is admitedly well qualified for the office, was to be thrust aside, and one from the plains, who has a railway within a mile of his door, and no special interest in the Peninsula, was to be substituted. '■ But is it reasonable to assume that the latter would display a zeal equal to that of the fprmer. Certainly not, and one is forced to the conclusion, that if Messrs Gebbie, Murry, and Parkinson are, as they contend, advocates of the proposed works, their advocacy is of a most apathetic, unusual, and unsatisfactory character. All this is perplexing, but every settler in the Peninsula will rejoice to know that the gentlemen whose sayings and doings I have examined do support the reclamation and railway, and be glad to receive more conclusive evidence of the fact than they have yet afforded. This, their position as members of the Trust, will afford them abundant opportunities of displaying. I am, &c, OBSERVER.

TO THE EDITOB OF THE AKAEOA MAIL,) Sib, —In looking over your issue of the iJ9th,J[(observed,a report of an- entertain-ia^^yWdin-ccmnecdion with the "New ilaJKliiodge, ,, Head of the "Bay. It would -.uppearJErom your report, that dancing was allowed in connection with the Lodge. If tins is correct, it reflects no credit on the members of the above-named Lodge, as to allow dancing in connection with the lodge ie directly in opposition to the rules of the order, and if such proceedings are continued, they might be the cause of many withdrawing from it. By inserting this you .will oblige. Yours &c, A GOOD TEMPLAR,