one of the most important and successful undertakings devised by the go-ahead Colonists.

From this it will be seen that the first essential to the development of the internal resources of New Zealand, easy and economic transport, had been furnished. During the eventful year of 1875 no less than 18,324 immigrants were introduced by the Government and public works vastly extended.

Another important event in the history of the Company was witnessed in 1879 by the charter of