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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 1 (May 1, 1931)

Steady Progress of Canterbury

Steady Progress of Canterbury.

As indicating the progress of Canterbury, the Census of December, 1861, shewed a population of 16,040 as compared with 5347 in January, 1856, and it was estimated that at 30th June, 1863, the population had increased to approximately 20,000.

The revenue for the year ended 30th September, 1862, was £237,896 (including land revenue £207,669, and Customs £17,365). The expenditure was £173,868 which included £46,972 paid on account of the Lyttelton to Christchurch Railway.

In view of the expansion of settlement, and the proposed increase of activity in the construction of Public Works, it was deemed necessary to reorganise the Public Works Department of the province. The chief feature of the scheme of reorganisation was to place the Department in charge of a member of the Executive who would be responsible for its administration, and who could take part in the dis- page 51 cussions in the Council, and give explanations as to the proposals. It was also arranged to subdivide the work of the Department into three principal branches viz.:—

Surveys under the control of the Chief Surveyor.

Roads, bridges, and telegraphs under the Provincial Engineer.

Buildings under the Provincial Architect, and that minor local works be handed over to local Boards, each with its own Road Surveyor.

In relinquishing charge of the Public Works Department which had been under his supervision since its inauguration in 1854, Mr. Edward Dobson stated that the programme of works which he, as Provincial Engineer had planned, had been now practically completed. Although they still required much work to bring them into thorough order, main roads had been constructed throughout the length of the Province and connecting with the adjoining Provinces of Otago and Nelson. The whole cost of the works constructed (exclusive of the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway) was, in round figures, £283,000, all paid out of the revenue of the Province, the whole population of which, even at the date of the report (1st July, 1863) was little in excess of 20,000 souls.

Mr. Dobson retained the position of Resident Engineer for the Railway; and the English Agent (Mr. Selfe) was requested to select a suitable person to fill the position of Provincial Engineer. He engaged Mr. George Aickin, but on his arrival in the colony Mr. Aickin failed to comply with the requirement of the Provincial Government and his engagement was terminated. Mr. George Thornton, who had been assistant to Mr. Dobson, was appointed to act as Provincial Engineer and subsequently was confirmed in that position.

After the passing of the necessary legislation the Hon. John Hall was appointed the first Ministerial head of the Public Works Department, with the title of Secretary for Public Works. The appointment was dated 2nd May, 1864.

On 27th October, 1863, a Commission, consisting of Messrs. E. Dobson, Jas. Wylde, J. F. Roberts, T. Cass, E. Richardson, and E. G. Wright, was constituted to reconsider the lines of railway projected north and south, and the bridges over the large rivers in connection therewith. To this Commission were subsequently appointed, on 17th May, 1864, Messrs. John Hall and R. J. S. Harman, and on 17th June, 1864, Mr. W. T. Doyne.

The original commission made a preliminary report (dated 8th March, 1864) regarding the south line, stating that it had fixed the points of crossing the Rakaia and Waitangi (Waitaki) rivers, and the route of the line between Wash-dyke and Pareora (a difficult section), and recommended that a detailed survey of the whole line be made, and the private land required for the railway, be purchased. It was also recommended that the south branch of the Rangitata River be closed so as to confine the water to the one channel. The south branch was then of small dimensions.

The route of the north line was still under consideration.