LAKE ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1271, 15 April 1878, Page 3

LAKE ELLESMERE AND FORSYTH RECLAMATION AND AKAROA RAILWAY TRUST.

A meeting of this Trust was held at Wascoe's Hotel, Lake Ellesuiere, on Tue=day last, 9th instant. The members present were—Messrs E. C. Latter (chairman) J. Bell, W. Parkinson, J. Dalglish, J. Gebbie, G. R. Joblin, and the Rev. A. P. O'Callaghan. A claim was received from Cunningham and Co. of j£ss 2s 7d, for tents supplied. It was moved by Mr Joblin and second*!d by Mr Parkinson "That the matter be left in the hands of the Trust's solicitors, Messrs Hanmer and Harper, and that they be requested to obtain such deductions as are possible for the damaged tents returned." ! he Chairman regretted the absence of Mr M irshall, who had undertaken to look after a case of iistrutnents belonging to the Trust, of the value of ,£lO lOs, that their late engineer, Mr Latham, had placed with Mr DeKidder of Southbridge for a private debt. Mr De Kidder h id written to say that on being satisfied it was the property of the Trust lie would give it up at once, but a good deal depended on Mr Marshall's report what further steps the Trust might be advised to take against Mr Latlum. The chairman also reported that he had received through Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw, acting on behalf of a Mr Goodwin, a claim for .£lO for damages to fences, and a claim of £lO for damages to crops done by the surveyors. He had been informed by Mr Browne that no such damages had been sustained by Mr Goodwin. He would suggest that the matter bo referred to Messrs Hanmer and Harper, with in-tructiohs not to entertain it. He would now read the engineer's report of his proceedings since last meeting, which the Trust would see was of a very satisfactory character, and showed that the work was being pushed forward energetically : Christchurch, Bth April, 1878. The Chairman Ellesmere and Forsyth Reclamation, and Akaroa Railway Trust. Sir,—l have the honor to submit to you the following brief report of the progress made during the past month in the survey of Lake Ellesmere, and also that of the projected railway to Akaroa. Lake Ellesmere—Taking Taniutn as a starting point, the survey completed up to date embraces the whole of the spit from Point to Lake Forsyth, and from Beach Arms to some distance west of Birdling's. Starting again from Tamutu the survey is completed from thence by Mr Marshall's farm and White's timber yard up to the mouth of the Selwyn, thus leaving the distance on the north margin of the Lake between Birdliug's and the Selwyn yet to he surveyed, which it is expected the two surveyors employed upon this duty will complete by the end of the current month. In making the Lake survey it may he mentioned that a base line has been chained from Tamutu in a N.B. direction for a distance of 1306 chains, or seventeen miles six chains, terminating at a point about half a mile north of the Beach Arms Hotel, and close to the Coach road. The sea coast, and high and low water lines of the Lake, have been carefully ascertained by means of oifsets and a traverse showing a further measured distance of 1510 chains, or eighteen and one-eighth miles, making a total of 287 t! chains, or nearly thirty-six miles of chainage in the survey of the spit alone. Soundings also have been taken throughout the deep-water channel, which runs generally parallel with the spit. All water holes and springs observable throughout the spit have likewise been carefully noted, in order to make the survey as complete and accurate as possible. Akaroa Railway—This survey is completed from its junction with Southbridge branch at Lincoln to Little River, a distance of twenty-six miles. The line as already surveyed Ifollows the ground fixed npou by the members of the Trust as nearly as possible from Lincoln to the end of Hudson's road, and from thence in a direct line generally from point to point across the several bays, passing to the eastward of Beach Arms Hotel, and aloug the margin of Lake Forsyth to Little River. The ground is generally so id throughout, and level. Mr Browne, who is entrusted with this survey, is confident of being able to complete the whole of the field work to Barry's Bay early in the ensuing mouth, meanwhile the drawing of the plans is progressing in my office in Christchnrch. I have the honor to be,|sir, J. M. Hardy Johnson, M. Inst. C.E. The chairman reported that another .£IOOO had been placed to the credit of the Trust. Mr Johnson, the engineer, exp ained that the plans and drawings were too large to carry aboat, and were likely to get destroyed, but any member of the Trust could see them at any time at his office. He had been able to make no arrangement yet as to borings, as the price asked wa9 in every case excessive, and much in advance of what he had paid for the same work at Milford Haven, but he hoped to be able in a few days to make an arrangement, as it was absolutely necessary to have the information before he could prepare his report. In reply to a question, Mr Johnson said that the pegs along Lake Forsyth in no way indicated the line of railway. The lino of railway would be above the level of the present road. Mr Johnson also stated that as yet it was quite impossible for him to state whether it would be cheaper to drain Lake Forsyth or to run the railway at such a level that the waters of the lake could not interfere with it. The chairman said that he understood it to be the opinion of the Trust that it was not desirable to drain Lake Forsyth if it was possible to construct the railway without d-ing so. He thought the question of terminus was outside the work of the Trust. All they had to do wai to connect Akaroa Harbour with the system of Colonial railways, and leive the question of the terminus to the Government and the engineer. Mr G. R. Joblin moved—" That the Engineer's report be considered satisfactory, and that the monthly progress payment of .£l5O b 3 mads. Seconded by Mr Bell, and agreed to. Mr Gebbie moved—" That the chairman communicate with Mr Marshall, asking him if he had been able to recover the articles belonging to the Trust, which the Trust were informed Mr Latham had given in security for his private debts." , Seconded by the Rev. A. P. O'Callaghan, and carried. A long discussion took placo m regard to requesting Sir John Coode to visit and report upon the drainage of Lake Ellesmere. Rev. A. P. O'Callaghan strongly urged tho idea. As the work was one of great importance,thc Government should allow Sir John to visit the district. It was a chance the Trust would never have again if they missed it. He felt strongly on the subject, and thought Ji'iOO or £3OO a small matter for the opinion of such a man au Sir John Coode. With reference to what somo members had said, that in the event of the consulting engineer's opinion being adverse to that of their own engineer, the sooner they were aware of that the better. Ho was sure Mr Johnson would not object to Sir John being consulted. , . . Mr Johnson stated that, so far from his being adverse to the Trust consulting Sir John, it w is quite the reverse ; he would be glad to meet The following resolution was agreed to on the motion of the Rev. A. P. O'Callaghan, seconded by Mr J. Bell—" That application be made to the Government to obtain for the Trust the opinion of sir John Coode on the draiarge ot Lake 9 Ellesmere and Forsyth, and that a statement of the accounts of the Trust be forwarded, showing that their financial position prevents them from bearing tho necessary expenditure, and that the Government be therefore requested to provide funds for that purpose" Mr Rennie brought under the notice of the fm\ the, important of. having a aim &i»»f

soason in Lake Ellesmere, and suggested that the matter might be brought under th<j notice of the Acclimatisation Society. It was agreed to leave the consideration of he matter over unt 1 next meeting of the Trust. Mr Rennie moved —" That Mr Latter, the chairman be empowered to rent a room from Mr Lewis, in Christchurch, for the purposes of the Tru=t, and that their meetings in future be held in Christchurch That the next meeting of the Trust be held in Christchurch on Wednesday, May Bth, at 7 30 p.m." The resolution was seconded by Mr Joblin, and aereed to.