Royal Assent Given to Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway Act.

It was not till 2nd October. 1860, that the Colonial Secretary wrote that His Excellency the Governor, in the name of Her Majesty the Queen, had given assent to the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway Act. 1860, as passed by the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council.

Meantime, as the Provincial Government was unable to complete the conditional contract with Messrs. Smith and Knight, that firm relinquished the work. The Superintendent undertook the liabilities of the firm with regard to the workmen brought to New Zealand, and arranged to continue preliminary work at the tunnel until fresh tenders could be invited. It was decided to advertise in the neighbouring colonies and provinces

Officers of the Auckland Locomotive Branch, 1905.
Left to Right.—Back Row: Messrs. G. V. R. Fraser. G. T. Champion, A. A. Boult, Jas. McLellan, J. H. Leopard, G. N. Gash, and A. B. Casey. Front Row: R. Simpson, Geo. Bowles, F. J. Parson, A. V. Macdonald, S. P. Evans and J. W. Lowry.

inviting tenders for the excavation of the tunnel.

When the Superintendent opened the 15th session of the Provincial Council on 14th May, 1861, he announced that he had concluded an agreement with a substantial and capable contracting firm of Melbourne for the whole of the works of the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway, and that he had committed to the Union Bank of Australia the agency for the negotiation of the Railway loan.

The contractors were George Holmes and Edward Richardson (trading as Geo. Holmes and Co.), and they undertook to construct the railway (with the exception of the stations) in five years for the sum of £240,500, of which the tunnel was to cost £195,000. The work was commenced at Heathcote Valley on 17th July, 1861.

Make safety Your responsibility.

Wanted! the name of a man benefited by an accident.