LAKES ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 181, 12 April 1878, Page 2

LAKES ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

The usual monthly meeting of the Trust was held at Wascoe's Hotel on Tuesday, April 9. ■ ,' Present —Messrs E. G Latter (Chairman)* Joblin, Dalglish, Bell, Parkinson, Rennie> Gebbie, and the Bey. A. P. O'Gallaghan. The minutes of the previous meeting: were read and confirmea. Two claims on behalf of Mr Goodwin were received from Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw, for damage to fences and crops alleged to have been done by the survey party. The amount claimed wae £20. It waa resolved, according to the advice of the solicitors to the Trust, to decline to recognise the. claims, on the ground that, if any.sneh damage had been done (which was denied) the survey party were themselves liable. A claim from the same firm, on behalf of Messrs Cunningham and Co., amounting to £55 2s 7d, for tents supplied, was also received. It was resolved to in?truct the solicitors to the Trust to settle the claim, on the condition of an allowance being made for some t*nts which had been returned. ■..'/. Some conversation ensued relating to a case of instruments charged to the Trust which it was alleged had been appropriated by the late Engineer, Mr Latham. Ultimately it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Gebbie—"That the Chairman write to Mr Marshall, enquiring whetner he has been able to recover the articles belonging to the Trust, which they have been informed have been deposited by Mr Latham as security for his private debts;" The Chairman read the foljovring report of Mr Johnston, the' Engineer • to the Trust:— • ■ ,r

"SSjUs , . Buildings, i " Hereford street, Christchurch, • "Bth. April, 1878. "SIR, —I have the honor to submit to you the following brief report of the progress made during the past month in the survey of Lake Ellesrnere, and also that of the projected railway to Akaroa :— " Lake Ellesmere.'—Taking Tamutu as a starting point, the survey completed up to date embraces the whole of the spit from that, point to Lake Forsyth, and from Beach Arms to some distance weet of Birdling's. Starting again from Tamutu, the survey ie completed from thence by Mr Marshall's farm and White's timber yard up to the mouth of the Selwyn, thus leaving the distance on the north margin of the lake .between Birdliag's and the Selwyn yet to be surveyed, which it is expected the two surveyors employed upon this duty will complete by the end of the current month.

"In making the lake survey, it may be mentioned that a base line has been chained from Tamutu in a north-east direction for a distance of 1366 chains, or 17 miles 6 chains, terminating at a point about half a mile north of the Anns Hotel, and close to the coach road. The eea coast and high and low water lines of the lake have been carefully ascertained by means of offsets, and a traverse showing a further measured distance of 1510 chains, or 18f- miles, making a total of 2876 chains, or nearly 36 miles of chainage in the survey of the spit alone. Soundings also have been taken throughout the deep water channel which runs generally parallel with the spit. All water-holes and springs observable throughout the spit have likewise been carefully noted in order to make the survey as complete and accurate as poscible.

" Akaroa Railway.—This survey is completed from its junction with the Southbridge branch at Lincoln to Little Eiver, a distance of 26 miles. The line as already surveyed follows the ground fixed upon by the members of the Trust as nearly as possible from Lincoln to the end of Hudson's road, and from thence in a direct line, generally from point to point across the several bays passing to the eastward of the Beach Arms Hotel, and along the margin of Lake Forsyth to Little River. The ground is generally solid throughout and level.

" Mr Browne, who- is entrusted with this survey, is confident in being able to complete the whole of the field work to Barry's Bay early in the ensuing month. Meanwhile, the drawing of the plans is progressing in my office in Christchurch. " I have the pleasure to enclose herewith a stamped receipt on account of prosjrese payment passed at last meeting of the Trust. " I have the honor to be, Sir, " Your obedient servant, "J. M. Hardy Johnston, M.I.C.E. " The Chairman Ellesmere and Forsyth Reclamation and Akaroa Railway Trust." In answer to questions, Mr Johnston stated that he had not as yet been able to arrange for boring, as he considered the estimate furnished excessive. He hoped soon to be able to get it done. With regard to the extension of the survey up the hill, it did not present any extraordinary difficulty. He could not at present state what levels or gradients would be norjWhether ft would be more or less expensive to open the lake, and thus lower the flood level, or to raise the railway above the level of the present road. At present he was of opinion that the latter would be the preferable course. He understood his instructions to be to proceed with the survey as far as Barry's Bay, or at any rate to "the water on the other side of the range. The usual progress payment of £150 was agreed to. With regard to a question mooted by the Chairman es to the advisableness of endeavouring to obtain an opinion from Sir J. Coode on the lakes drainage scheme, the general opinion appeared to be that it would be inexpedient to do bo at the expense of the Trust. The Rev. A. P. O'Callaghan asked Mr Johnston whether be would have any objection to Sir J. Coode paying a visit of inspection to the work. Mr Johnston said he should most decidedly have no objection, but would be rather glad of it than otherwise. The Chairman stated that he understood that a visit from Sir J. Coode would cost £300. After providing for all liabilities, past and future, he believed there would be a eurplus of about £360, out of which the expenses of Mr Johnston's attendance in Wellington during the progress of the Bill.through the Assembly would have to be defrayed. Messrs Parkinson and Bell were of opinion that the Trust could not afford the outlay. If the Government would supply his services at their own expense, there was no doubt it would be an excellent thing. The Rev. A. P. O'Callaghan thought that the opinion of so eminent an engineer ought to be secured. Talent must be paid for, and was worth its money. Even if they expended more than had been allotted to them, he thought their successors might very well be asked to take over a trifling liability, seeing that they would have a splendid endowment. Mr Joblin thought Sir J. Coode would not be able to devote sufficient time to the work to render his inspection of real value.

Mr Gebbie considered that they should have all plans and data complete before asking him to report on the scheme. After considerable conversational discussion, the following resolution, proposed by the Rev. A. P. O'Callaghan, and seconded by Mr Bell, was agreed to. Mr Gebbie diesenting: — "That application be made to the Government to obtain for the Trust the opinion of Sir John Coode on the drainage of Lakes Ellesmere and Forsyth, and that a statement of the accounts of the Trust be forwarded, showing that the financial position of the Trust prevents them from bearing the necessary expenditure, and that the Government be, therefore, requested to provide funds for the purpose." . Mr Rennie drew attention to the way in which fishing was carried on in the lakes. Hβ "thought there ought to be a close season In the spawning season the fish all rushed towards the mouth of the lake, and they were caught in boat loads. The Chairman thought that it would be well to represent the matter to the Acclimatisation Society. On the motion of Mr Rennie, seconded by Mr Joblin, it was resolved—" That the Chairman be authorised to engage an office in' Lewis' Buildings, and that the

meetings of the Trust be held henceforward in Chrietchurch, and that the next meeting take place on Wednesday, Bth May, .at 7 p.m." The meeting then adjourned.