RAKAIA AND ASHBURTON FORES RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1210, 19 January 1878, Page 3

RAKAIA AND ASHBURTON FORES RAILWAY.

On Friday January 18, a meeting of those interested in the projected railway between Rakaia and Ashburton Forks was held at t,he Koad Board office, South Rakaia. Among those present were Messrs Cox, Campbell, Wilkinson, J. Bruce, 0. Lake, C. F. Barker, R. MoKerrow, J. Mann, G. H. Holmes, J. N. Sharp, J. Pitt, R. Patton, A. Devery, P. Laurie, E. S. Coster, G. Hart, D. Cameron, R. R. Pitt, George Gould, Neil McLean, J. T. Ford, P. Laurie, F. B. Passmore, and J. L. Coster.

Mr Neil McLean was proposed as chairman, but whilst he thanked the meeting for the compliment they had paid him, begged to be excused, as there was a fire burning close to bis place. He moved that Mr Gould, take the chair. The motion was duly (seconded, and Mr Gould took the chair.

Mr Gould said they all knew the object for which they were called together. It was to promote the formation of a railway between

Rakaia and Ashburton Forks. He took a gieat interest in it, and would do all he could to further it. They would all be glad to see it run through their land he should think, but should strive to get it where it would be the greatest benefit of all. He hoped that whoever was appointed as permanent director would succeed in carrying out the object in the most economical manner. His idea was that if the company adopted the same gauge and weight of rails as the Government they should arrange with the Government to find the rolling stock, and to work the line, so as to reduce very materially the amount of capital required. He would now a?k the secretary to read the minutes of the meeting held at Christ church.

The interim, secretary, Mr C. F. Barker, then read the following :- The report of the committee appointed at a meeting held in the Commercial Saleroom, Hereford street, Christchureh. en Wednesday, 2nd January, 1878, tor the purpose of forming a company to construct a railway from the h'akaia township to the Forks of Ashburton, and to take the necessary steps to comply with the District Railways Act.

Vour committee report that the artcles of association have boon signed, forming the company. That the 2000 shares, representing a capital of .£40.000 have heen applied for: also that a large number of the landowners and others interested have signilied their intention of taking- shares, but have not decided on the number.

The following gentlemen have been appointed provisional directors of the company:—Messrs G. Gould, C. N. Mackie, D. G. Holmes, T. B. Passmore, J. T. Ford, R. McKerrow, W. P. Cowlishaw, Geo. Robinson, C. F. Barker, R. M. Morten, J. Anderson. J. L. Coster, D. Cameron, R. Patton,E. S. Coster, P. Laurie, G. Hunt, Neil McLean, R. R. Pitt, J. Mann. Prospectuses of the company have been issued and circulated through the district, also a map showing the proposed district, together with a schedule of the rateable land therein, has been prepared; upon the map has been marked the direction of the line as agreed upon at the last meeting ; and the position of the station and siding with platform as proposed. The station colored black, sidings blue. The necessary 10-chain tracings with schedule attached, showing the land required for railway purposes, are almost completed. Tenders have been called for the survey, with epiantities of the proposed line, sufficient to let the contracts for formation thereof.

The Ashburton County Council have been written to with the object of ascertaining whether they intend bridging the Ashburton river near the forks, and if so, requesting them to indie ite to the company the proposed spot. The letter will be laid before the next meeting, when it will receive its favorable consideration The necessary steps have been taken to ascertain the opinion of the landowners and occupiers of the district as to their willingness to support the lino as shown upon the plan, and they have been almost unanimous in signing a petition to the Governor asking for his consent to it as proposed. Your committee, in conclusion, hope that every person having land benefitted by the proposed line will come forward and assist the directors by taking shares in the company in proportion to the amount of property held by them.

Mr Barker informed the meeting that as secretary he had heard the opinions of everybody in the district, and they were almost unanimous, the only difference of opinion being as to a branch line for a distance of about ten miles. If such a branch were carried out, however, it would add materially to the amount of rates the district would have to bear if the line was found not to pay. He did not believe it would be of any material benefit to any landowner, except to one or two. The proposed line would be of as much benefit as the two lines proposed by MrWason. The present straight line reduces the distance by about fifteen miles compared with the line that gentleman proposed. Mr Lake proposed, and Mr Devery seconded, the adoption of the report in the following terms—" That this meeting approve of the report of the committee, and thank them for their action in the matter."

The resolution was agreed to unanimously. Mr Sharp moved—" That this meeting pledge itself to support the directors to the utmost in the speedy carrying out of the undertaking." Mr Bruce seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. The Chairman stated that as far as the capital of the company was concerned, the directors had every reason to believe there would not be the slightest difficulty in arranging a contract and getting the railway carried out. The parties so doing would in all probability take a large number of debentures in payment. The Chairman concluded by inviting any gentleman present who had not already done so to apply to the secretary for what shares he required. Mr Laurie remarked that the sooner the requisite number of shares were taken up, the sooner the business of the company would be commenced. Ten shillings per share would probably bo all that would be necessary. The meeting then terminated, several gentlemen applying to the secretary for shares.

It may he mentioned that the secretary received a telegram from Mr Hale, of Christchurch, apologising for his non-attendance, assuring the meeting of his sympathy with the movement, and promising to take shares in the company. '