COUNCIL PAPERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3564, 20 June 1872, Page 3

COUNCIL PAPERS.

CITY RAILWAY.

The following papers referring to a central railway station have been laid on the table of the Provincial Council:—

The projectors, Messrs Wilson, Hassal, and de Bourbel are ready to construct a line of rails into the heart of the City of Christchurch.

1. It is proposed to leave the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway at' a point near the gas works road, and pass through the station ground below the engine shed by a curve of not less than ten (10) chains radius. 2. Also to leave the main line of the Great Southern Railway and Great Northern Railway at a point near the eastern end of the Government sheds, and pass through the station ground and across the Town belt, by a curve of not less than ten (10) chains radius, to meet the line from the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway. 3. Thence by a double line in the station ground, situate between Cashel and Lichfield streets.

4. The streets to be crossed on the level with double crossing. The gates not to be less than twenty-two feet wide.

5. The station ground to be provided with ample roads for ingress and egress. 6. It is proposed to have an arrival and a departure platform of about five (5) chains each in length, and fourteen feet wide, and a third line of rails for spare carriages ; a considerable portion of the platform to be covered, and substantial booking offices at the terminus ; and the projectors are willing to allow the Government an increased area of land not to exceed one acre (but not exceeding half-an-acre preferred) on the eastern part of the station at the rate of five thousand per acre. The Government to agree to give the projectors notice within (6) months from the date of contract, what area of land they would require, such land to run in a strip adjoining the station, from Cashel street to 'Lichfield street. 7. The whole of the line to be substantially fenced, aud the permanent way to be laid in every way similar to that' ou the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway. 8. The said projectors propose, after the construction of the above line, to lease it to the Provincial Government for a term of (21) years. The rental to consist of a toll on all passengers arriving or departing by the said line, such toll to be as follows—for single tickets threepence, for return tickets fivepence, and for season tickets for one month four shillings (4s), and to be paid monthly to the projectors, the rental payable to the projectors not to exceed the maximum per centage of twelve and a half (12i) per cent, on the cost, viz., thirty-one thousand five hundred pounds (£31,500). 9. The Provincial Government to have the power to purchase the said line at any time during their tenancy, after giving one year’s notice in writing, at a price according to the following scale, viz : £37,000 if purchased within 3 years. 35.000 „ „ 7 „ 32.000 „ „ 12 „ 30.000 „ „ 18 „ 25.000 „ „ 21 „ But covenant to purchase at the end of the said term of twenty-one years (provided they have not already purchased) for the sum of twenty-five thousand pounds (£25,000).

Estimated coat of constructing the City Railway— Preliminary expenses ... ... £SOO 0 0 Constructing line and fencing with sawn timber ... ... 6550 0 0

Station buildings, platform, &c. 2500 0 0 Forming roads to station ... 750 0 0 Town land required 16,500 0 0 Compensation to landholders ... 4025 0 0 Contingencies, say ... 700 0 0

£31,525 0 0 Passengers per Lyttelton and Christchurch line and Great Southern line, as per schedule, 194,974, less say onethird for return tickets, 64,991, ori 129,983—5ay 130,000, at 3d ; £1625 0 0 Passengers per Northern lino, say same os Great Southern lino, 60,500, less one-third for return tickets 20,166, or 40,334 say 40,350, at 3d ... 605 16 0 Season tickets per Lyttelton and Christchurch line, and Great Southern lino, as per ■ schedule, 193 at 4s ... •■ • 6® ® Season tickets per Northern line, same as Great Southern, 35 at 4s 7 0 0

£2176 8 0

II H' ~ Will you bb 80 goodw t<r report ■ ontho attached proposal to constrict a branch line of railway into Christchufch. I should bo glad to have your opinion on tho calculations made to tho number- of ) passengers, &«;, estimated to bo carried on the lino. Also/as to the feasibility of the proposal in connection with the working of the main lino, and ’generally as to its advantages or disadvantages. W. Kennaway. May 22,1872. ' |

[Memorandum] Central Station, Christchurch. Messrs Wilson and Others Proposal. The extension lino as described in the prospectus could bo worked in connection with tho present lines without any difficulty, and it would not interfere with the goods shed, or disturb in any way the working of the goods traffic. Passengers would bo brought through to the central station without change of carriage, aud in the case of mixed trains (goods and passengers) with no further delay at the present station than the minute or two that would be occupied in uncoupling the carriages. With tho view of enabling a more accurate estimate to be mode than the data which the promoters possess admits of, I attach detailed statements furnished by the accountant of the number of passengers booked at and to Christchurch over the Lyttelton line and South line within the twelve months ending 31st March, 1872. The totals are:— Lyttelton line — Single tickets, including 19,200 Saturday tickets available as returns 41,550 Return tickets, including 900 to volunteers, &c 32,050 Periodical tickets os monthlies ... 315 South line— Single tickets, including 8800 SaturJij day tickets available as returns ... 25,250 Jjfetum tickets ... , 11,050 periodical tickets as monthlies ... 85 John Mabshman, i, ■’ * Gen. Manager. May 29,1872, CANTERBURY RAILWAYS. Abstract of Passenger Returns for twelve ’ months ending March 31st, 1872, with prices proposed for City Blanch: — Lyttelton and Christchurch Line—- £ s. d. £, 8. d. Single tickets, 41,550, at 3d 619 7 6 Return ditto, 32,050, at 5d 647 14 2 Monthly ditto (p. 6), . 315 ... ... 63 0 0 — 1250 1 8 Great Southern LineSingle tickets, 25,250, at 3d ... ...315 12 6 Return ditto, 11,050, at 6d 230 4 2 Monthly ditto (p, 7), 85 at 4s 17 0 0 — 562 16 8 Total ... ... £lßl2 18 4 [Memo.] (1) Passengers arriving at and departing from Christchurch only. (2) Parcels and sundries not included. (3) Volunteer tickets, L. and C., 900, included (p. 9). (4) Single tickets as Return, L. and C., 19,200, included (p. 5). (5) Single tickets as Return, G. and S., 8800, included (p. 5). Robt. P. Crosbie, Accountant Canterbury Railways. Christchurch, May 27th, 1872. To J, Marshman, Esq., General Manager.

'i 1; ; ‘ xAiiv&k.l - (3rd doss.V .. .

LYTTELTON AND CHRISTCHURCH LINE —‘ VOLUNTEERS.

Kailway Engineer’s Office, Christchurch, May 28,1872. Sir, —In accordance with your instructions of the 22nd inst., to report upon the proposal of Messrs W. Wilson, Hassal, and Deßourbel to construct a branch line of railway from the Christchurch station to a site between Cashel and Lichfield streets, and also to report upon the estimate of cost as submitted by them, and whether I can suggest any other line which would bo preferable to the one proposed, I have the honour to submit for your information that 1 have examined the estimates in detail, and am of opinion that the sum set down for permanent way, fencing, &c., making a fair allowance for the increase in price of iron is not excessive.

With reference to the other items for station, platform, &c., and station yard, I think ample accommodation may be provided for the sum of £2440. This, however, is not a large item of difference, and would provide for gatekeepers’ houses, which do not appear to be named, but which could scarcely be omitted in the construction of the works. With reference to the sums set down for land, &c., compensation to landholders, amounting together to £20,525, although it appears to me a large sum, I scarcely feel justified in passing an opinion upon. There are no difficulties involved in the construction of the line. Some trifling alterations of the existing lines at the Christchurch station would probably be required, and possibly the removal of the stationmaster’s residence would be necessary.

I think that crossing the junctions of streets is objectionable, and should be avoided if possible. A slight alteration in the direction of the line would remedy this without departing materially from the idea of the promoters. In reply to your last question, I have sketched out an alternative line on the accompanying map of Christchurch, and shown by a green Hhe, which, I think, whilst possessing equal advantages, would be more economical, as the private land required would be trifling as compared with the proposal submitted to me. I would propose to start from the Southern Kail way, near Colombo road crossing, with a curve of 15 chains radius, as far as Durham street, up which the line would be carried to Worcester street, near the Resident Magistrate’s Court, being a distance of about 62 chains, with a single line of rail, which might at any future time, if required, be extended up the Papanui [road to form a junction with the Northern railway. If it were an objection to run locomotives along the streets of the city, the same objection would, I think, apply to running them across the streets ; aud I have, therefore, thought it advisable to give an estimate of the cost of constructing a tramway with rails of flSlbs to the yard, dispensing with fencing, gates, &c.; the rails being laid level with the surface of the road, would offer no obstruction to vehicles crossing the line. The respective estimates are as follows ; Promoters’ line, as detailed by them— Land and compensation,£2o,s2s Works of construction, &c., £II,OOO ... £31,520 0 0 Proposed alternative line— Land and compensation, £3620 Works of construction, &c., £6300 ... £9920 0 0 Tramway on alternative line route — Land and compensation,£36,2oo Works of construction, £2400... £6020 0 0 I have for the basis of comparison taken the weight of the rails for the locomotive lines at 721 b per yard, and the cost of the works at the same relative rates. I have also assumed the cost of the land on the alternative line and tramway to be the same as on the promoters’ line, though in doing 'so for the sake of comparison I am of opinion it would not reach that sum, as being situated on the South town belt, would hardly be considered as valuable as land in the heart of the city. The following is the quantity and estimated value of land on each line: — PROMOTERS’ LINE. Quantity of land Estimated cost. Cost per required. acre. a. k. r. 4 10 ... £20,525 ... £4828 ALTERNATIVE LINE. 0 3 0 ... £3620 ... £4828 I have, &c., G. Thornton, Railway Engineer. W. Kennaway, Esq., Secretary for Public Works. Provincial Secretary’s Office, Christchurch, June 1,1872. Gentlemen, —With reference to your project to construct a line of rails into the city, Christchurch, having its termination at the piece of land known as Wilson’s gardens, and to let the same to the Government for a term of ’ years, subject to a covenant to purchase, I am directed to inform you that the Government will bo prepared to give the proposal their favourable consideration, provided the Government have the option of purchase at a sum not exceeding twenty-five thousand pounds (£25,000). I have the honour to be, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, Walter Kennaway, Provincial Secretary. Messrs W. Wilson, T. M. Has sal,) and H. H. Deßourbel. )

Christchurch, June 3,1872. To the Provincial Secretary, Government Buildings, Christchurch.

Sir, —With reference to your letter of June 1,1872, relative to our project to construct a line of rails into the city of Christchurch, and that the Government are willing to give our proposal their favourable consideration if we agree at any time during the lease of 21 years to sell to them for £25,000, wo have now to ‘inform you that we regret that we are not in a position to entertain the wishes of the Government.

But with a view to meet the Government to our utmost, wc beg to submit the following modification of our former proposal. That we will sell on receiving one year’s notice: —

At end of first year after completion £ for 31,500 At end of second year for 31,000 At end of third year for 30,250 At end of fourth year for 29,500 At end of fifth year for 28,500 At end of sixth year for 27,250 At end of seventh year for 26,500 At end of eighth year for ... ... 25,500 From end of the ninth to the end of the term ... ... ... 25,000 The maximum rate of interest not to exceed 12i per cent, on the £31,500. It is understood that the Provincial Government shall get an Act passed by the General Assembly, and that all Parliamentary expenses be paid by the Government. Wc beg to submit to the Government a schedule of the estimated cost of constructing the proposed railway, but beg that the Government will consider this a private memorandum in the event of the project not being entertained. With regard to the item £4025, we are

prepared to strike this out altogether, if the Government will undertake to pay, the exact, sum of compensation to the parties to whom such compensation shall have to be made as estimated at foot by schedule. Wo are willing to give the Government credit for any saving we may bo able to effect from the £1025, if the Government will on the other hand make good to us any stun which we may have to pay in excess of such sum of £4025.

We have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servants, T. M. IIASBAL, For the Promoters,

£4300 0 0 Christchurch, Juno Ist, 1872. To His Honor the Superintendent. Dear Sir, —I have the honour to enclose copy of resolutions passed at a public meeting held at the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening in the matter of a passenger railway station in a central part of Christchurch, and remain, Dear Sir, yours faithfully, Henry Sawtell, Mayor. Moved by Mr Sheath and seconded by Mr Wilkin—“ 1. That it is desirable to have a passenger railway station in a central part of the city." Moved by Mr Harman and seconded by Mr Gould—“ 2. That in selecting a site, the convenience in the approach from each line should have equal consideration.” Moved by Mr Montgomery and seconded by Mr J. P. Jameson—“ 3. That with a view to an impartial settlement of the question as to the route and terminus of a central railway in Christchurch, this meeting is of opinion that his Honor the Superintendent should be respectfully requested to appoint a commission of disinterested gentlemen to consider the subject, and report thereon, at the earliest opportunity.”

G. Gordon, Town Clerk,

Christchurch, 7th June, 1872. The Provincial Secretary, Christchurch. Sir, —As we believe a considerable amount of opposition has been brought to bear upon our proposals, with a desire to postpone the whole question for an indefinite period we are more than ever anxious that our plans should be carried out, and we therefore beg to make the following modified proposal.

We trust the Government will see that our desire to let our project rest upon its intrinsic merits is based upon a wish that it may be heartily taken up by them, as we are more than ever desirous that our plans should meet the approval of the Provincial Council. We therefore hope the enclosed modified estimates and proposal will meet the entire approval of the Government, and be by them laid before the Provincial Council at as early a date as possible. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, T. M. Hassal, For the Promoters.

Schedule —Cost of constructing the city Railway.

Estimated preliminary ex'

£28,812 0 0

Purchase money, as follows : First year £28,812 Second year 28,500 Third year 28,000 Fourth year 27,500 And at the end of the seventh year to end of term ... ... ... 25,000

W. Wilson, H. Deßolebel,

T. M. Hassal,

Provincial Secretary’s Office, Christchurch, 11th June, 1872.

Sie, —In reply to your letter of the 7th instant in which, on behalf of the promoters, yon submit a modified proposal for the construction of the City Railway, I am directed to inform you that the Government having again carefully considered the question, have decided that the only basis upon which they will be prepared to entertain the proposal is that of having the right of purchase at any time for a sum not exceeding (25,000) twenty-five thousand pounds, with a maximum charge for interest at the rate of 10 per centum per annum. I have the honour to be. Sir, Your obedient servant, Walter Kennaway. Provincial Secretary.

Christchurch, June 11, 1872. The Provincial Secretary, Christchurch, Sir, —In reply to your favour of this day’s date we regret to say we cannot reduce the proposal made in our letter of the 7th hist, on account of the amount of compensation we shall be compelled to pay to outsiders, and also on account of the large quantity of valuable town land required for the undertaking, and which we respectfully submit the Government appear to undervalue. If the Government will approve the alternative route as pointed out to' you at our interview this morning, and which would afford better terminus accommodation, we are prepared Vo accept the terms proposed, viz., the Government to have the right of purchase at any time for the sum of £25,000, and the tolls to be charged not to exceed a rate of interest equal to 10 per cent, on the above-named sum.

1 have the honour to bo, Sir, Your obedient servant, T. M. Hassal, For the Promoters.

Christchurch, 12th June, 1872.

The Provincial Secretary, Christchurch.

Sir, —As our proposals have not yet been laid before the Provincial Council, and we are given to understand that in the ordinary course of business they cannot be dealt with this session, if such is the case, we beg to withdraw the proposals and our modification thereof The terms of our last offer made to you leave so small a margin of profit in comparison with the risk incurred as to make it a question whether it is desirable on our part to continue negotiations, or seek to construct the line.

I have the honour to bo, Your obedient servant, T. M. Hassai., For the Projectors,

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SINGLE TICKETS ISSUED AS EKTITEN. 1871. L.&C.R. Or. S. B. April 1140 826 May ... ' 1340 963 June 1039 ... . 685 July 1072 629 August 1339 675 September ... 1145 525 7075 4303 October 1143 546 November ... 1179 698 December 2700 661 January (1872) 4245 790 February 1536 742 Marob 1334 1059 12,139 4496 Totals 19,211 .8799 SEASON TICKETS—LYTTELTON AND CHEISTCKDECK EAILWAY.

,g § a s £ & ~C 8 tM a a I c < 6 . a £ 1871 April May June July August Sept. 5 8 9 10 8 13 3 1 1 1 6 1 i •t 2 1 1 1 £ s. d. 73 12 6 10 8 0 11 14 0 22 15 0 28 19 3 51 5 6 19814 3 53 6 9* 3 Oct. Nov Dec. 1872 Jan. Feb, March 10 10 16 10 11 14* 1* 1 1 3 1 3 1 1 1 * * 41 0 9 36 7 6 28 13 6 29 12 0 14 15 0 37 2 0 18710 9 7U 6* 6 2 Totals 124* 12* 15* 5 i.e. Monthly Quarterly Half-yrly. Annual 124* 37* 93 60 Value £ 386 5 0 Total 316# * At 4s, carried to summary. SEASON TICKETS—GEKAT SOCTHEEN EAIEWAT. 3 a o a 13 i 9 & l i a * O 9 1871 April May June July August Sept. i i* 2* * 3 3 1 — 21 13 0 4 9 6 15 6 24 8 9 6116 9 i 7* 4 - Oct. Nov. Deo. 1872 Jan. Feb. March 1 3 2 4 2 1* 3 1 2 1 - 7 0 0 17 10 0 2 7 6 19 10 6 3 5 0 10 2 6 6916 6 13* 6 1 - Totals i.e. Monthly 14* 14* 40* 30 13* r Value £ 111 12 3 Total 85# • At 4s, carried to summary.

£ B. d. 1871—May 1st: c. v. 1032, number and value included, p. 2... 36 i 9 „ Nov. do 4198 p, 4—114 0 0 1872—January do 106 p. 4— 8 8 9

1871. £ 6. d. £ B. d. April ... 296 ... 12 19 0 May ... 172 ... 7 10 6 Juno ... nil. ... 0 0 0 July ... 36 ... 1 11 6 August ... 101 ... 4 11 0 September ... 110 ... 6 7 9 32 19 9 October ... 166 ... 7 5 3 November ... 236 ... 10 6 6 December ... 208 ... 9 2 0 1872 January ... 128 ... 5 13 0 February ... 130 ... 6 19 0 March ... 216 ... 9 9 0 — 47 13 9 1090 Total ... 1841 £80 13 6

[Copy] Schedule—Cost of constructing the City Railway. Estimated preliminary expenses £500 0 0 Estimated cost of constructing double lino of rails, fencing, gates, &c G550 0 0 Estimated cost of railway terminus, each platform being 5 chains long, and 14 feet wide 2500 0 0 Estimated cost of roads and footpaths 700 0 0 Value of 6i acres of land at £21G0 per acre, including compensation for severance 13,500 0 0 Compensation to outsiders, say 4025 0 0 Incidentals 725 0 0 Profit to contractors 3000 0 0 £31,500 0 0 Schedule of compensation to outsiders. Carersham Hotel 2300 0 0 T. D. Jones 250 0 0 Frederick Jones 1250 0 0 Dalgety and Co. 300 0 0

penses £500 0 0 Cost of constructing double line of rails, fencing, gates, &c. 7050 0 0 Cost of railway platform terminus, each platform being five chains long, and fourteen feet wide 2500 0 0 Cost of roads and footpaths ... 700 0 0 Value of six and a quarter acres of land, at £1150 per acre 7187 0 0 Damage by severance 3125 0 0 Compensation to outsiders 4025 0 0 Incidentals 725 0 0 Profit to contractors 3000 0 0