South Island Railway Development

The administration of public facilities in the South Island was placed under the control of three Provincial Councils in 1853. By 1868, due mainly to geographical difficulties, there were 6 Provinces, with Marlborough, Westland and Southland being divided off Nelson, Canterbury and Otago respectively. Each Council was challenged by different drivers to best meet the needs in their particular area. There was however one common issue and that was transport.

Canterbury was very quick in initiating an ambitious scheme of railway construction in order to have a reliable transport route from its productive lands to the port. Legislation was passed in 1860 authorising construction with Amberley in the north and Rakaia in the south connected to Christchurch from where there was a link to the port of Lyttelton. This