LAKES ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 156, 15 January 1878, Page 2

LAKES ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

The new members elected to the Trust held their first meeting at Wascoe's Hotel, Lake Ellesmere, on Tuesday, the Bth inst.

The members present were — Messrs Latter, Joblin, O'Callaghan, Dalglish, Marshall, Murray, Parkinson, Gebbie, and Bell.

Mr Latter congratulated the members on ■their re-election, and expressed a hope that, as they entered on their duties at the the beginning of the new year, they might successfully accomplish the work committed to them before its close.

Some discussion ensued with regard to the appointment of chairman. According to the Trust Act, the appointment of chairman for the year must take place on the third Monday in January. Finally it was moved by Mr O'Callaghan, and seconded by Mr Marshall, that Mr Latter act as chairman to the Trust until that day. Carried unanimously. The minutes of last meeting were then read and confirmed.

The Chairman read an agreement prepared by Messrs Hanmer and Harper, containing particulars of contract between the Trust and Mr T. M. H. Johnston, civil engineer. After consideration, it was moved by Mr O'Callaghan, and seconded by Mr Gebbie, that the agreement, as made by Messrs Hanmer and Harper, be approved. Carried.

Mr Johnston then came before the Trust, the agreement being again perused and considered. Mr Johnston required some slight modification of certain terms used in the agreement, as those terms might be construed as binding. Mr Johnston further required a re-con-sideration of the amount of salary to be paid to him. He had in his previous interview with the Trust under-estimated the cost of the work ; more minute calculations had shown him that he had considerably erred in estimating the amount of manual labour it would be necessary he should employ. He also desired that the monthly advance might be increased, and made £150 in place of £100. It would enable him to prosecute the work with greater activity, and, of course, to bring it more quickly to a conclusion. After having answered several questions put by the Chairman and other members of■ the Trust, Mr Johnston was requested to withdraw.

Mr Johnston's objections \vc:v then considered. The proposed nullifications in a clause of the agreement were deemed reasonable, and assented to ; the desired increase in the monthly advances was also assented to, subject to the conditions of the agreement being observed. ' Some discussion ensued on the question of Mr John-ton's application for a reconsideration of the question of salary, which was regarded as having been previously settled. Eventually it \va_ unanimously resolved., that no increase in payment be made.

ItVas, however, resolved that a bonus of £250 should be paid by the Trust to Mr Johnston when all the works contracted for by him should he satisfactorily completed, and a Bill passed through Parliamentforthe construction of the proposed railway.. Mr Johnston consenting to these terms, the agreement was then signed. In reference to Mr Donkin's salary, &c, Mr O'Callahan moved, and Mr Parkinson seconded, that the sum of £95 be paid to that gentlemen on his handing to the Chairman a receipt for £25 previously paid, and also a receipt for £10 paid for men's wages. This concluded the business of the meeting, which was then adjourned until Monday, the 21st inst.