LAKES ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION, AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1249, 8 March 1878, Page 3

LAKES ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION, AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

A meeting of the Trust was held at Wascoe's Hotel, Lake Ellesmere on Thursday, 7th instant. Present—Messrs E. C. Latter (chairman), J. G-ebbie, J. Dilgliesh, Rev. A. P. O'Callaghan, Marshall, Murray, and Joblin. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman read the Engineer's report, of date 4th March, as follows: The Chairman, Ellesmere and Forsyth Reclamation, and Akaroa Rail Trust. Sir, —In continuation of my last [month's progress report, I have the honor to state — First, with reference to Luke Ellesmere survey, that the draft working- plan of the estuary is complete with the necessary soundings both inside the spit and outside to seaward of the mouth. The soundings inside show a clear channel -nddth of about two chains, extending the whole length of the estuary from the mouth to Fisherman's Point, a distance of sdxty chains, having a depth of water of from 17ft to 23ft at high water of ordinary sea level, and running within a chain of the spit. The average depth throughout the remaining portion of the estuary may be said to range from 6ft. to 12ft. below the same level.

The soundings outside to seaward immediately opposite the proposed entrance show the depth at high water of an ordinary tide, and at each respective chain distance from high water line uu th «. shore, to be as follows :—At 'r chain, 15ft. ; 1 chain, 20ft.; 2 chains, 25ft. ; 3 chains, 27ft.; 4 chains, 30ft.; 5 chains. 30ft j 6 chains, 30ft.; 7 chains, 31ft ; 8 chains, 33ft. ; 9 chains, 37ft. ; 10 chains, 39ft.; 11 chains, 41ft.

I need hardly add that nothing could be more favorable for the formation of a permanent channel between the ocean and the Lake than the above soundings, provided the ground bo iirm, which, judging by the lead in taking the soundings, I apprehend will be found to consist of stiff clay.

I regret being unable to fulfil the promise made in last report of having borings taken, which has been owing to the tenders I received for the work being much too high. I trust, however, in a short time to have this important matter accomplished. I propose making a fair copy of the above plan at once, showing design for proposed channolworks, and hope to hand it to you by next monthly meeting of the Trust if possible. Meanwli lo the survey of the Lake is pi'Ogres»iug favorably, having lor soinp time past had the assistance of a competent surveyor upon the work, and I hope in a Tew days Lo secure the services of another for the like purpose. Secondly, with reference to the railway survey, I have also great pleasure in reporting that Mr Browne, with an assistant surveyor, has been at work for some time, and although I regret bt ing unable to lay before you this meeting the snrvcy plans of twenty miles as promised, nevertheless I believe the field work to that extent is nearly completed, and the plans would have been ready had it not been that Mr Browne unexpectedly met with considerable delay in relieving himself from the Government service.

I may here mention that I have rented a room in Mr J. Lewis's new buildings in Hereford street, Christehurch, where my office duties in connection with the Trust will in future be carried out.

I beg to forward you the enclosed receipt for the J2ISU paid me in advance at the last general meeting of the Trust. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant,

T. M. Hardy Johnston. The Chairman reported that Mr Johnston and his assistants had visited Akaroa, with the view of seeing the proposed line of railway. The engineer expressed himself as confident that there were no difficulties in the way. The required tunnel at Barry's Pass would not be more than about sixty chains. The engineer was also anxious to get a letter of instruction in regard to the point at which the proposed terminus would be in Akaroa Harbor. The Chairman also stated that he had received no less than six letters from the late engineer, Mr Latham, asking for a settlement of his account, which the Trust understood had been settled. Mr Latter intimated that he had applied to the Government for another £IOOO, and that the Public Trustee had telegraphed for the auditor's authority. Eev. A. P. O'Callaghan proposed—" That, in the opinion of the Trust, Mr Johnston's monthly report is satisfactory, and that the sum of £l5O be passed in payment of his month's contract."

The motion was seconded by Mr Marshall, and carried.

Eev. A. P. O'Callaghan, as a member of tho deputation, reported that the deputation, consisting of Messrs G-ebbio, Murray, and himself, had gone with the surveyor over the different routes for the railway to the South - bridge line at Lincoln. The engineer and the deputation were unanimous as to the advisability oi adopting the route by Hudson's road to Lincoln, as the best line from an engineering point of view and the cheapest to construct, and also as requiring the least compensation in land. The deputation took as their main object in determining the point of junction, the connection of Akaroa Harbor with the railway system of the colony. Mr O'Callaghan also stated what he had said at the meeting at Tai Tapu the previous evening. Mr Joblin thought that by acting in concert with the people in the Halswell district their hands would be strengthened. The Chairman said no doubt it was important to the people in the Halswell district. The great question, however, was—what were the duties of the Trust under the Act ? One of tho most important objects in view was that of taking the railway through the reclaimed land, thus raising the reclaimed land in value. Mr Murray said that there was only five miles of freehold land to pass through before reaching tho lake reserves, whereas it was six-

teen miles to Addington, and from Lincoln it was only six miles in a direct line. It would not be right by the sale of the lake lands to increase the value of land in the Addington district.

Mr Joblin thought that the question of cheapness had nothing to do with the matter. Mr Dalgliesh moved—" That the action of the deputation, Messrs O'Callaghan, Murray, and Gebbie, as members of the Trust, in deciding on the point of junction of the railway with the Southbridge line at Lincoln is hereby approved and confirmed." This was seconded by Mr Marshall, and carried.

Mr Marshall was requested to see Mr De Riddcr in regard to a case of instruments, and to show him the amount charged against the Trust, in Messrs Coates and Co.'s account. On the motion of Mr Marshall, leave of absence was granted to Mr Rennie for a month.

The Chairman reported the result of the cases the Trust had defended, and that in certain cases (Robellio and Offwood's) the verdicts had been against the Trust. The magistrate held that Mr Latham, being the engineer of the Trust, was entitled to order what he considered necessary. An appeal had been lodged, but the Trust decided not [to proceed further with the case of appeal. Tho meeting then adjourned.