CAMBRIDGE BRANCH LINE,

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1177, 13 January 1880, Page 3

CAMBRIDGE BRANCH LINE,

A meeting of the Cambridge Branch Railway Committee was held in the Fanners* Club Library, on Saturday last. Present: Messrs. Robert Fergusson (chairman), J. P. Campbell (secretary), F. B. Walker, W. Graham, Robert Kirkwood; Thos. Wells, T. Paton, junr., Major "Wilson, Dr. Waddington. Minutes of the meeting were read and signed. The Chairman then read the advertisement convening, and Mr Gwynneth, C.E., was called upon to give the report of the examination of the above routes. Mr Gwynneth said b.e had not drawn up an elaborate report, but had merely a few memorandums, from which he would lay before the Committee the results of his examination of three proposed routes, which, for convenience, he would name No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3. No. 1 route commences at a point on the Taupiri road, at the south-east corner of lot 164, and proceeds along the said road until it meets the road leading across Crawfords Gully at the old Pah, and thence by that road to the Narrows Bridge, thenoe to Rukuhia, and is 14 miles long. No. 2 commences at this same point, and proceeds along the Taupiri road to tho Cemetery reserve, thence by a road passing between Mr Alwill's farm and J. Martin's senr., at Tor View, thenoe through Russells Morgans and Martyns farms to the Narrows Bridge and Rukuhia, and is about 13 miles long. No. 8 route commences at the same point, an I proceeds along the Taupiri road about one mile, passing for a short distance through Tayor's paddock to a road, and along that road to Clarks corner, thense along to Bald Hill Road to Mr Martyns farm, thenoe through that farm to the Narrows and Rukuhia. Tho length of this line is about twelve and three-quarter miles. Mr Gwnneth estimated the cost of No. 1 route, including bridge and approaches at Crawfords gully and the Narrows, but exclusive of rails, sleepers, ballast, station, and rolling stock, at £570 per mile, or a total cost of £7,980. The cost of No. 2 route he estimated in the same way at £580 per mile on a total cost of j 7540. Id the same way he estimated the cost of No. 3 route at £560 per mile, or a total cost of £7140. Ihe cost of 661b rails with sleepers, ballast, and laying will be £1500 per mile ; with 401b. rails, £1250 per mile. He al»o estimated the ooat of one station and several platforms on the route at £1000, and rolling stock to inolude two engines, two carriages, and six wagons at £3500. Total cost by No. 1 route, say £33,680 with 661b. rails and £30,000 with 401b. rails. Total cost of No. 2 route, say £31,540 with 561 . rails and £28,29 » with 401b. rails. I otal cost of No. 3 route, say £30,765 with 661b. rails and 127,577 with 401b. rails. Mr Gwynneth said he wi-hed the committee to decide which route was to be fixed upon. He thought it would be between No. 1 and vo. 3. No. 2 route went through a deal of private property, and he was informed that one settler, Mr W. 8. Morgan, had refused to give the land, and had eaid he did not want the railway to pass through his place at all. No. 1 route would be of most se vice to settlers, and though a mile longer it will run along the road all the way from the Narrows to Cambridge. Whichever was decided upon would not effect the route on the other side the river, but he had not yet been able to examine the Upper Narrows pro erly to decide whether'the line should cross there or at the Lower Narrow.-. ■ f ter crossing the river the line will probably go through Hunt's, Bell's, teele's, Gribble's and Williamsons land to the Rukuhia btation. He therefore asked the committee to deoide which of these three routes should be surveyed. Mr f.B. Wai er moved, "That o 1 r-»ute be adopted and surveyed forthwith.' ' He thought this the best route as it would open up more country and would run along the road all the way on this side the river. Mr J. P. Campbell seconded and spoke in favour of this route Mr Wells also spoke in favour of it. Mr A. S. <raham said that in order that the question might be well discussed and the opinion of the oommittee fairly taken, he would move pro forma as an amendment, "That No. 2 route be adopted.'* I JVir . Kirkwood seconded. After considerable discussion the amendment was put, and the mover and seconder only voted for it. >he original motion was then put and carried ncm eon. Major v ilsonas edMrGwynaethhow far the nearest point of No. I route would be from the Thames- Waikato line. Mr Gwynneth measured it on the map, and found it to be 5£ miles. Mr Ferguson proposed, "That the following gentlemen be a committee to confer with r Gwynneth from time to time:— Dr. Waddington, Messrs ihoman V ells and K. Kirkwood, Major Wilson and >'r J. P. Campbell. Mr Graham seconded. Tarried Mr Gwynneth then asked whether the Bection should be taken down the centre of the roads or on the sides. vr R. Kirkwood moved, u That the line shall run within half a ohain of one fenoe along the two ohain road, and on the one ohain roads it shall oe 15 feet from the fenoe to the centre of the line. " tar Well* seconded. Carried. Dr. Waddington proposed, " That the Secretary write to those who have promiaed subscriptions, requesting them to pay 50 per com. immediately." Mr W. A. Graham seconded Carried. It was also resolved that Mr Gwynneth be requested to prepare the book of reference required by the Mr W. . Graham said he had been - spoken to by a gentleman who had offered to raise the money required for the completion of the railway at 6 o" 7 per cent. if cash was subscribed by the shareholders to the extent of '5001. This, however, would be a matter for consideration at some future time. This was all the business.