THE LAKE ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH TRUST ACT.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 674, 17 August 1876, Page 4

THE LAKE ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH TRUST ACT.

A meeting was held in the Library room, Little River, on Monday evening last, Mr Powrie in the chair, for the purpose of discussing the action taken by the Little River Road Board in telegraphing to Messrs Eolleston and Montgomery without first consulting the ratepayers of the district as to whether such telegrams was in unison with their views. Mr A. D. Allan, in a few introductory remarks, explained the object for which the meeting was convened, and, as one of the ratepayers, protested against the arbitrary manner in which the constituents had been treated by the Road Board, and said he intended moving a resolution to that effect. Mr Coop (who was the only member of the Boad Board present), failed to see the reason. why the ratepayers should take umbrage at the action of the Board. He stated that the members of the said Board had given the Bill sent them their earnest consideration, and they felt convinced, after careful and mature deliberation, that the Bill would not answer the purpose for which it was intended, and before the resolution was put to the meeting, he hoped that the Question would be well ventilated, and perhaps, as a member of the Board, it would be necessary for him to give some explanation why the Board acted as they did, and he thought he might do so for the following reasons 1. For to carry out a railway from the Southbridge line, via Little River to Akaroa, would require funds far beyond anything that could be expected to be derived from the limited quantity of lands unsold in the district named in the Trust; 2, And also the limited quantity of land that might be expected to be derived from tbs drainage of Lakes Ellesmere and Forsyth, bearing in « mind the vital question that these lakes are not yet drained, and that the opinions of engineers are at variance whether such drainage can be accomplished. Admitting the doubt, Mr Bray’s report only gives 15,000 acres available reclaimed land, and say we take forty square miles of the unsold land off the top of the ranges in the districts named in the Trust, say 35.000 acres, and all sold, what a small sum this would be to commence works of such magnitude, as the drainage of the lakes and the construction of a railway to Akaroa ; and [he was still of opinion if these works were to be undertaken that the General Government should do so for it to be successful. Mr Allan, in reply, reiterated his protest, and further stated that the Road Board had exceeded the functions of its office in acting as it had done, and he would therefore move the following resolution, seconded by Mr Noah Walters—“ That the members of the Little River Road Board, being merely elected to carry out the provisions of the Road Board Ordinance, this meeting views with feelings of astonishment and regret the temerity of the said members in telegraphing to Messrs Eolleston and Montgomery, without first consulting and obtaining the consent of the * ratepayers of the district, their opinion that the Bill called the Lake Ellesmere and Forsyth Trust Act will not meet the purpose for which it is intended; further, that this meeting considers the said members deserving of censure for the action taken.” Mr A. Joblin moved as an amendment—“ That there be no vote of censure.” The amendment being put to the meeting, was declared lost, the motion being carried by a large majority. Mr G. R. Joblin, as a member of the Akaroa railway committee, gave a resume of the work done by the committee, and explained in a lucid manner several features of the Bill, and spoke in the highest terms of praise of their member, Mr Montgomery’s untiring zeal and energy in bringing forward the Bill, and he also had the opinions and views of several other Canterbury members on the subject, and he thought the Bill, as framed, was the best thing be could get. Mr Allan then read the Bill to the meeting. Mr A. Joblin then moved—“ln the opinion of this meeting, the reclaiming of Lake Ellesmere and the making of a railway to Akaroa ought to be undertaken by the General Government," It was bis opinion that there were at present too many Boards in the district, and these would soon be supplemented by a County Board and this Trust, and contended that the machinery was too complex, and would inevitably cause endless confusion, and advocated an amalgamation of the whole, and expressed a hope that the Government would take upon itself the carrying out of these proposed works. Mr G. R. Joblin said this motion was merely a re-echo of the Road Board’s telegram. The General Government would not do this; it wai against their policy. They were willing to give us local funds, which we could utilise for the benefit and progress of the district. Mr Allan said lie would like to see the General Government do as proposed by Mr A. Joblin, but felt sure it would not, and he would therefore move, as an amendment, which was seconded by Mr Belcher—“ That this meeting cordially approves of the Bill entitled the Lake Ellesmere and Forsyth Trust Act; that it meets the f wishes of the majority of the ratepayers; and that this meeting thanks Mr Montgomery for his exertions in the „ matter, and trusts be may be able to carry it to a successful issue.”- The amendment was carried by a large majority. Mr G. R. Joblin notified to the meeting that the elections of members to serve on the trust were to be made by the ratepayers, and not by the Road Boards as originally contemplated. Mr Allan said he would telegraph the foregoing resolution and amendments on Tuesday to Messrs Rolleston and Montgomery. A vote of thanks proposed by Mr Allan to the Chairman, and duly acknowledged, closed the meeting.

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