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APPENDIX D. Copies of Minutes, Ashburton County Council. 14th March, 1877. — (Minute.) — Letters from the Hon. the Minister for Public Works and Hon. E. Bichardson respecting rails for Mount Somers Bailway. Proposed by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Bullock, " That the ten thousand pounds' worth of rails bought by the late Provincial Government of Canterbury for the Mount Somers Bailway cannot, in justice to the Ashburton County, be taken possession of and credited generally to the provincial district, and that this Council respectfully requests the Government to hold these rails in trust for the purpose for which they were bought. 11th December, 1877. —Mr. Bullock proposed, and Mr. C. Beed seconded, "That, as the sum of £500 has been voted for the survey of the Ashburton-Alford Forest Bailway, the Government be requested to undertake the work with as little delay as possible."—Carried unanimously. sth February, 1878.—Mount Somers and Alford Forest Bailway: Moved by Mr. Wason, seconded by Mr. Bullock, and carried unanimously, " That this Council approves of the general direction of the line of railway proposed by the General Government from Ashburton to Mount Somers and Alford Forest." Moved by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Saunders, and carried : " The Council is of opinion that it is not desirable to construct the railway on the 1-chain reserves made for the public road, but, wherever necessary to follow the course of such roads, a special reserve 1 chain wide should be taken from the adjoining sections prior to their being Crown-granted." Moved by Mr. Bullock, seconded by Mr. Beed, and carried, " That a committee, consisting of Messrs. Saunders, Wright, and the Chairman, be appointed to confer with the landowners on the proposed line of railway to Mount Somers and Alford. Forest, and negotiate for the dedication of the land required for such railway prior to the work being commenced." 6th March, 1878.—Mount Somers and Alford Forest Bailway: Moved by Mr. Bullock, seconded by Mr. Beed, and carried, "That Mr. Williams's suggestion re amended route of Mount Somers and Alford Forest Bailway be approved of, and that the Government be requested to proceed with the survey as soon as possible." 3rd April, 1878.—Ashburton and Mount Somers Bailway: Letter from the Besident Engineer stating that the first twenty miles of the proposed line will be surveyed at once, was read and placed before the Council. Mount Somers and Alford Forest Bailway: Resolved, " That the Government be asked on what date the Council can calculate on receiving those rails for the Mount Somers Bailway which are to be supplied in lieu of those used by the Government." 3rd May, 1878.—Ashburton and Mount Somers Bailway : Resolved, " That 401b. steel rails be obtained in lieu of the iron rails to be replaced by the Government." Letter from the UnderSecretary, Public Works, stating there would be no delay in the delivery of the rails required for the Mount Somers and Alford Forest Bailway, was read and placed before the Council. Mount Somers and Alford Forest Bailway : Resolved, " That the Upper Ashburton Boad Board be written to, requesting them to reserve a portion of Beserve 2064 for the above-named railway." Moved by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Beed, and carried, "That the Government be requested to purchase on behalf of this Council as many 401b. steel rails, including the ten thousamd pounds' worth of rails to replace those provided by the Canterbury Provincial Government for the Mount Somers Bailway, as will suffice for the construction of twenty miles of railway and sidings." Moved by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Bullock, and carried, "That the Engineer-in-Chief be communicated with as to the expediency of dispensing with the base-plates and fang-bolts and using dogs in the joint sleepers on the Mount Somers Bailway." sth June, 1878.—Mount Somers and Alford Forest Bailway : Mr. Allan McLean waited on the Council with reference to certain fencing on his property on the proposed route of the above-named line. The Council explained their views of the matter, and Mr. McLean then retired satisfied. Letter from the Under-Secretary, Crown Lands Office, stating that the arrangement suggested by the Council re construction of the railway on the 1-chain reserves made for public roads is practically being carried out, was read and placed before the Council. Letter from the UnderSecretary, General Crown Lands Office, re special reserve of 1 chain wide for this line, was read and placed before the Council: Resolved, " That the Besident Engineer be requested to forward a tracing of Beserve 2064, showing where the above line passes through that reserve." 3rd July, 1878.—Mount Somers and Alford Forest Bailway : Letter from the Under-Secretary for Public Works re sole-plates and fang-bolts for the above-named railway was read and placed before the Council. 31st July, 1878.—Mount Somers and Alford Forest Bailway : Letter from the Under-Secretary for Public Works, re authorizing the Government to charge to the county the estimated cost of the rails of the above railway, was read and placed before the Council.—Moved by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Beid, and carried, "That the action of the Chairman in this matter be approved of." 27th November, 1878. —Mount Somers Bailway: Resolved, "That the rails, as per statement contained in letter from Hon. Minister for Public Works, be taken delivery of by the Council." 9th December, 1878. — Mount Somers Bailway: Moved by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Wason, and carried, "That the Minister for Public Works be asked to call for tenders for the construction of the Ashburton and Mount Somers Bailway, so that the work may be commenced immediately after the harvest." sth February, 1879. —Mount Somers Bailway : Moved by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Grigg, and carried, " That the Chairman, Mr. Wason, and the mover be requested to wait upon the Hon. Minister for Public Works at the first opportunity and urge the claims of the district to have the Ashburton and Mount Somers Bailway proceeded with without further delay." 2nd April, 1879.—Mount Somers Bailway-stations: Resolved, " That the Chairman write to the Government respecting the stations, as mentioned in Mr. Beed's letter, and the same be recom4—D. 2.

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