LAKES ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 172, 12 March 1878, Page 2

LAKES ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

A meeting of the above was held on Thursday last, at Wascoe's Beach Hotel.

Present — Messrs Latter (Chairman), Dalglish, Jobiin, Gebbie, Murray, and O'Callaghnn.

Mr Latter stated that Mr Johnston, the Engineer to tbe Trust, bad been to Akaroa harbour, and cursorily inspected the ridge through which a railway tunnel will eventually be formed, and had expressed an opinion that sixty chains of tunneling would be sufficient to pierce the ridge. This, however, was an opinion formed after an incomplete survey, and might be subject to material modification. After passing through the ridge, the line of railway could be carried to any part of the harbour that should be found to possess tlie greatest facilities for the accommodation of shipping, or construction of harbor works. He also laid upon the table several letters from Mr Latham, which had not been answered, as they assorted claims that could not be recognised, Messrs Hannier and Harper having, on behalf of the Trust, discharged all legitimate claims that Mr Latham could make. He thought it wise to request the Government to pay a further sum of £1000 into the Bank of New Zealand to the credit of the Trust. The Government bad acknowledged his application, but some further communication with the Government would probably take place before the amount was placed to their credit. The Chairman then read the Engineer's report, which described the progress made in his work during the past month.

The report was generally considered satisfactory by the members of the Trust, especially that part relating to the sound ings within the estuary, as well as those extending outside of the proposed entrance from the lake into the sea.

Mr O'Callaghan proposed " That in the opinion of the members of Trust, Mr Johnston's monthly report is satisfactory, and that the sum of £150 be paid to him in discharge of his monthly claim." Mr Marshall seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr O'Callaghan then said that two public meetings had recently been held on the subject of the Akaroß railway—one at the Tai Tapu, where resolutions had been passed which he did not think were entitled to much weight, and the other at the Halswell, on the preceding evening. The latter was attended by numerous and influential ratepayers, which would entitle it t« consideration. He and Mr Murray had attended this meeting, although it was not in their district, but he thought by so doing they might be enabled to explain the object, and advance the interests of the Trust. He had seen the report of the meeting in tbe papers, and observed that some remarks he had made were very incorrectly reported. The Chairman thought the Trust was under great obligations to Messrs O'Callaghan and Murray, and other members, who had exerted themselves to promote the objects the Trust had in view. Mr G. R. Joblin wished to know if the Hudson's route had been finally determined upon, as that by which the line of railway would be carried, and whether Lincoln had been finally appointed as the place of junction with the southern line. Mr O'Callaghan said that the Hudson's road route had been selected as the line, and Lincoln as the terminus for the Akaroa line, but that these arrangements had been made subject to tbe approval of the other members of the Trust. The deputation appointed at a former meeting, consisting of Messrs Murray, Gabbie. Parkinson, and himself, accompanied by their engineer, Mr Johnston, bad gone over the various routes leading to the Southbridge line, and they had unanimously arrived at tbe conclusion that the Hudson's road route was decidedly tbe best that could be adopted, as presenting the fewest difficulties in an engineering point of view, being the shortest line, and one that had but an inconsiderable distance to go through land for which compensation would be required.

Mr Joblin had no conception that this most important question would bavebeen settled by the deputation in this summary manner. He hoped no ill consequences might result from such precipitation. He was certainly of opinion the subject had not been sufficiently investigated. He would not object to the Hudson's road route, or to Lincoln as the place of junction if it were fully and clearly shewn that these were tlie most advantageous places for tbe needed purposes, but he held that much consideration should be accorded to the views and representations of the Tai Tapu and Halswell districts on tbe subject.

Tbe Chairman thought that the deputation bad arrived at the best conclusion possible, and that much credit was due to them for tho trouble they had taken in the matter.

Mr O'Callaghan wished to see the course adopted by the deputation approved of and endorsed by the Trust. The Chairman thought that a viva voce report, would suffice. A report was then given, which simply consisted of an enumeration of the reasons already narrated, on which the Hudson's road route and Lincoln had been determined upon as the railway route and junction. Mr O'Callaghan expressed a wish that the action of the deputation should be confirmed by resolution. Mr Dalglish moved—" That the action ot Messrs Murray, O'Callaghan, and Gebbie, as members of the Trust, in deciding on

the point of the junction of the railway with the Southbridge line at Lincoln, be approved of and confirmed." This was seconded by Mr Marshall. Mr JoBLIN was adverse to the resolution. No evidence bad been adduced to prove that the course adopted by the deputation was the most desirable one. Admitting that the Lincoln mute would entail least expense, that was by no means conclusive that that route was also the best. Looking at the annual and certain increase of population and production, he contended that that was the best line, the returns of which bore the greatest proportion to its cost. A short line, which should cost in its construction £3000 per mile and return 3 per cent, would, as a rule, be less desirable as an investment than a long line which should cost £GUOU per mile, and return 7 per cent. As it had not, in his estimation, been proved that Lincoln was the most desirable place for a junction, he should neither vote ior or against the resolution, but be neutral. The resolution was then put and carried. Mr Joblin thought there appeared to be some ambiguities in the relations that existed between the settlers of the Tai Tapu and Halswell districts and the Tiwst. He would move— 1 ' That the Trust express their sympathy with the settlers of Tai Tapu and Halswell in their desire for the construction of tbe railway through their districts, and that the Trust will do whatever may lie in their power to facilitate the attainment of that object." In moving this resolution he was simply proposing the recognition and acceptance of the friendly advances that were being made to them. He was forcibly impressed withthe conviction that the increase of influence to the Trust, consequent on the support and sympathy of the numerous and influential settlers of those districts, would insure the certain attainment of the objects the Trust was created to secure. He thought he need not say more to commend his motion to their favourable consideration. Mr O'Oallaghan was confident no one could attach more importance to the good wishes of his neighbours than himself, or would be disposed to do more to secure them. He thought, with some modifications he might be able to give the motion his support. Mr Stafford had stated at the meeting held at the Halswell that he would give tbe land that would be required for the construction of a railway through his estate, and doubtless others were prepared to do the same; there were also certain public reserves available for the same

purpose. * s The Chairman was of opinion that the words of the .motion " the railway," would be misconstrued, and that to subscribe to tbe motion, and advocate any ofher line in preference would entail a charge of insincerity. Mr Joblin did not think such a construction oould be fairly placed upon it, but if that were the only objection, he would be willing to obviate it by substituting the indefinite article " a " for " the," when the passage would read " a railway." If the motion were carried, it would indicate and promote the existence of good feeling ; if it were lost, it would show the existence of antagonism. This being the case, he would exercise his right as a member of the Trust, and request the Chairman to put the motion to the meeting. The Chairman then put the motion, but as it was not seconded it fell to the

ground. Tbe Chairman said he had applied to Mr de Bidder, of Southbridge, for a case of instruments which belonged to the Trust, and which Mr Latham had left with him. Mr de Bidder bad written to say tbe instruments would be given up if they were the property of the Trust. Mr Marshall was requested to take Coates & Co.'s account to Mr de Ridder. and show him tbe entry therein of tbe instruments in question. Leave of absence for- one month was granted to Mr Rennie. The Chairman then referred to certain law cases in which tbe Trust had become entangled, and stated that in some instances judgment bad gone the Trust, but notice of appeal had been given by Messrs Hamner and Harper. Tlie meeting then adjourned.