LAKES ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST MEETING.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 137, 9 November 1877, Page 2

LAKES ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST MEETING.

A meeting of the above Trust was held at Wascoe's Hotel," Lake Ellesmere, last Tuesday. The members present were—Messrs E. C. Latter (chairman), J. Gebbie, J. Dalglish, A. Murray, T. H. Parkinson, John Bell, and G. R. Joblin. j Mr Latham, the engineer to the Tjrust, was also present. ' The chairman read a number of letters received from Mr Latham since last meeting, and explained that the reason there 1 was no communication from the engineer at the last meeting arose from the fact that he was at work at Tamutu, and that there was no regular postal service between that place and Akaroa. Mr Latham, the engineer, then stated that he was prepared to answer any question, and to say what he thought best to be done. The scheme was a great one,and he was not in a position- to put any definite project before the meeting, but that in fourteen days' time he would be ready to lay before the Trust some definite scheme, in terms of the letter of instructions he had received from last meeting, which were quite clear as to what they wished done. Messrs Parkinson and Murray were of. opinion that the time was too short to perfect the work required, but the chairman and a majority of the members thought that it was desirable to have ihe report before them at the earliest possible date consistent with accuracy. In reply to various questions from members, Mr Latham replied generally that he was quite as anxious as the Trust to waste no time, and to do his best for them, and that they might be sure he would put

nothing before the Trust unless it was trustworthy, as he had a reputation to loose. A base line had been run along the beach for about five mi led from Tamutu, where he intended to concentrate all his operations in the meantime. He would not like to give-a definite opinion as to Lake Forsyth being drained through the rock to the sea ; such an opinion might compromise lum afterwards. He had found Bray's report, as far as he had yet examined it. perfectly trustworthy and accurate. In future he would report monthly as to the amount of work done, and the report to be presented in a fortnight would state whether the mouth of the lake at Tamutu could be kept open or not, and also if Tamutu is the best outlet.

Messrs Gebbie., Parkinson, and Bell were of opinion that the three sche.nes of drainage should be reported upon separately, viz.—by Tamutu, Rakaia, and Lake Forsyth.

Mr Joblin proposed the following motion, which was ultimately agreed to:— "That this Trust meet again in a fortnight to receive the engineer's preliminary report, such report to include as far as posible bis opinion in regard to Lake Forsyth."

Accounts were received for instruments amounting to £18_ 10s, which were ordered to stand over until next meeting for payment, as the engineer hoped to get a reduction in some of the charges made. Mr Parkinson moved that the sum of £50 be placed to the credit of Mr Latham to enable him to pay wages. Seconded by Mr Gebbie, and carried. The chairman laid before the Trust a letter from Mr Montgomery, covering a copy of his Railway Reserves Bill, which he was sanguine would pass both Houses, and by which the Akaroa Railway would, of course, benefit.