LAKES ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 147, 14 December 1877, Page 2

LAKES ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

The adjourned meeting of {(lis body was held at Wascoe'u Hotel, Lake Ellesmere, • n Tuesday last. The members of ibe Trust present were —Messrs E C. Latter (chairman), Parkinson, Dalglish, Joblin, Marshall, O'Callaghan, and Bell. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the acts of ihe chairman since last meeiing were endorsed. The chairman reported iha< Returning officers had been appointed for ihe various districts as required by the Act for the elections to be held on Jan. 7 next. Ati account of £21 18s for a boat was passed for payment. A large number of accounts against the Trust bad been collected by Mr Donkin since last meeting, and were now presented for payment, ihe total amount being over £400, none of which had been authorised by the Trust. Mr Latham, the' engineer, attended and stated that he bad been so unwell since the last meeting that he bad been quite unable to attend to business. It was- suggested that in that case it would be better for him to resign, which, after a short consideration, he agreed to do, handing in his resignation In vvas then moved by Mr O'Callaghan, and seconded by Mr Joblin, that Mr Latham's resignation be accepted. The motion was put and carried. Mr Parkinson moved— v That the chairman lay before Messrs Ilaniner and Harper the accounts now presented to the Trust, and obtain their legal opinion as to the liability of the Trust for the various items." The motion was seconded by Mr Marshall, arjd carried. Mr OJCallaghan moved—" That all instruments and other goods belonging to the Trust be placed in charge of Mr (heir assistant engineer, and that he be requested to take an inventory of the same, and forward it to the chairman." Mr Parkinson seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. After considerable discussion as to what was best to be done under the circumstances, Mr Bell moved— *' That the chairman Ibe requested to telegraph to Mr Hardjr Johnson, and ask if he is open to an engagement as engineer to the Trust, and if so to communicate fully with him by letter, and in the event of Mr Johnson not rjeing able to accept the proposed office,, that Mr Harding be written to, oiferifig him the appointment." Thi motion vvas seconded by Mr Dalglishiand carried unanimously. A At'the- request of the Trust, Mr Donkin attended, and stated tjia't :|p wbutd take charge of all instruments idtod. *.plant belonging to them, and make* an invent toiy <jf the same as requested. Mr Donkin furtlifer stated that three men would be quitefsufficient for their present purposes. Mri Donkin was authorised to retain the services iof the three men he considered most) suitable for the work, and to discharge all others at once. A jettet of authority under the hand of the cnaiijman was handed to Mr Donkin, confirming the above resolution, and sanctioning his appointment as assistant engineer up to 9th January next at a salary of £40 per month. A 'cheque for £125 was handed to Mr Donkin #o pay the men's wages, and he was instructed to take charge of the camp generally, and to" attend the next meeting of the Trust. • Mr DaMtrlish thought it was desirable to look up all questions of convenient lines for the'proposed railway, and with that object, would move—" That the Springs Roadj Board be written to, and asked if, in case the engineer to the Trust should recommend that Hudson's road be a desirable route for the proposed Akaroa Railway,' whether any objection would be likely to be made by the ratepayers jor the boarlji." THe motion was seconded by Mr Parkinson, and agreed to. It! was by Mr Marshall, and seconded by Mr Joblin—" That this meeting aUjourn-till Thursday, 20th December, at thp same place, at noon.