ASHBURTON FORKS RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1096, 3 January 1878, Page 3

ASHBURTON FORKS RAILWAY.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a Branch Railway from the Main South Line between South Rakaia and Ashburton Townships to the Forks of the Ashburton, under The District Railways Act. 1877, was held at Mr C. F. Barker’s Commercial Salerooms, Hereford street, yesterday, at 2 p.m. Messrs G. Gould, R. Patton, J. L. Coster, J. T. Ford, H. P. Murray-Ayneley, M.H.R., J. C. Wason, M.H.R., Passmore, H. Mcllraith, and about thirty-five of the principal landowners in the district were present. On the motion of Mr J. T. Ford, seconded by Mr Wason, Mr Geo. Gould was elected chairman, who, after explaining the object of the meeting, called upon Mr 0. F. Barker to propose the first resolution, vie.—“ That it is desirable to construct a railway from South Rakaia Township to the Forks of the Ashburton, under The District Railways Act, 1877, as shown on the plan exhibited at this meeting, from points A. to B, and C. along the line marked red and blue on the said plan.” Mr J. T. Ford seconded this motion and after some discussion it was carried.

Mr Wason proposed, and Mr Patton seconded as an amendment —“That in the opinion of this meeting, it is desirable to have the meeting at the Road Board ofllce, South Rakaia Township, in order that parties most interested might attend.” It was pointed out by Messrs Barker and Pasmore that ninetenths of the aggregate acreage of the district was represented in the meeting, and that a meeting held at the South Rakaia could not possibly demand such an attendance. Upon this, Mr Wason said he would withdraw his amendment if Mr Passmore would propose a central line through to the South line instead of to the Rakaia township. Mr Passmore objected to Mr Wason’s proposal, as he considered the proposed route saved a considerable amount in freight payable to the railway ; therefore he must give it as his opinion that the proposed route is the most suitable. Finally Mr Wason withdrew the amendment. Mr Cowlishaw proposed, and Mr D. Cameron seconded—“ That a joint stock company be formed for the purpose of constructiug a railway in pursuance with the foregoing resolution under the District Railways Act, 1877, and that the capital of the company be £IOO,OOO in 5000 shares of £2O each.” The resolution was carried.

Mi’ Passmore proposed, and Mr Devery seconded —“ That a committee be formed to take the necessary steps for the formation of the company, and to take all requisite means to comply with the District Railways Act, 1877, such committee to consist of Messrs G. Gould, C. F. Barker, McKerrow, J. T. Ford, G. Robinson, C. X. Mackie, D. G. Holmes, J. L. Coster, D. Cameron, R. Patton, and the mover, with power to add to their number.” Carried. Mr Coster proposed, and Mr McFer’ane seconded—“ That the meeting now adjourn to the South Rakaia Hotel at a date of which due notice be given by advertisement.” Carried, A vote of thanks to the chairman, proposed by Mr R. R. Pitt, and carried unanimously, con eluded the meeting. Subsequently a meeting of members of the committee was held, when Mr C. F. Barker was appointed interim secretary, and Mr W. P. Cowlishaw Interim solicitor ; and a committee meeting for Thursday, 3rd inst., at 2 p.m., was arranged.