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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 7, Issue 2 (June 1, 1932)

Interesting Tramway Projects

Interesting Tramway Projects.

In addition to the main lines of railway various subsidiary lines were proposed. In October, 1862, permission was given to Mr. William White, an enterprising hotel keeper at Kaiapoi, to construct a railway, or tramway, from Little River Bush to Christchurch. Mr. White had previously constructed a toll bridge over the Waimakariri River at Kaiapoi. Conditions as to the construction of the Little River tramway, and rates of tolls and charges on it were gazetted, but little progress was made in commencing the work. Subsequently a contract was made with Mr. White to construct a tramway from Christchurch to the Halswell quarries, this forming part of the Little River page 42 scheme. The Little River Tramway Ordinance was passed in January, 1866, and the construction work put in hand. The price to build the line was £12 15s. 9d. per chain, or £7,161 for the seven miles, plus £1,200 for bridges and culverts. The Christchurch terminus was at the gaol site in Lincoln Road, Addington. The object of the tramway was to obtain stone and road materials for building purposes. The gauge was 4ft. and the traction was by horses. The Provincial Government fixed the maximum tolls and charges to be collected. A feature of the working arrangements was the use of containers in order to save undue handling or possible damage to the building stone. The stone was to be loaded at the quarry into boxes, which would be lifted by crane on to the trucks, and at the destination station from the trucks to carts. This tramway was in operation for some time.

Other tramways projected were: From Little River to Weedons, Selwyn, and Rakaia, and from Rolleston to the coal measures at the Malvern Hills. On 10th January, 1867, the Provincial Council passed a resolution, that having in view the advisability of promoting the construction of tramways in different parts of the Province, this Council authorises His Honour the Superintendent to guarantee 8 per cent, on the outlay on any such work as may be constructed on conditions to be fixed by His Honour and the Executive Council. The liability not to exceed £5,000 per annum. His Honour stated in reply that steps would be taken for carrying out the resolution of the Council.