1880.
Jun 05: The Argus reports: Sandhurst, from our Correspondent. At the meeting of the City Council today, a letter was received from Mr. N. Ingham, of Axedale, submitting a suggestion for the construction of a line of railway from Sandhurst to Axedale and Heathcote, with the view to ultimately extend it by way of Redcastle and Whroo to Murchison, thus connecting the Northern with the North-Eastern line. Attached to the letter was a long statement setting forth the advantages which would accrue to the numerous residents in the district through which the proposed line would pass. Ingham asked the council to endorse the scheme, and intimated that he had sent similar communications to the other municipalities interested. No discussion took place on the letter, which was referred to the Finance Committee.
Jun 05: The Bendigo Advertiser reports on a Proposed Railway to Heathcote, and again on Jun 07
Jun 10: The McIvor Times, in reporting on a Heathcote Borough Council Meeting: From N. Ingram[sic], relative to a line of railway, via Axedale, to Heathcote. Communication to be acknowledged and laid on the table, on the motion of Cr. J. Thomas.
Jun 12: The Bendigo Advertiser reports: The letter of N. Ingham, of Axedale, asking the support of the Council to the proposed railway from Sandhurst via Axedale to Heathcote was brought up for consideration. On the motion of Cr. Holmes, seconded by Cr. Hayes, it was resolved the project receive the support of the Council.
Jun 18: The Bendigo Advertiser, reporting on a Shire of Strathfieldsaye meeting, reports: From N. Ingham, asking the Council to co-operate in procuring a line of railway from Sandhurst, through Axedale, to Heathcote, as this matter was one of considerable interest to the district. Received, and resolved that tho Council give its hearty co-operation in the matter, and that the Parliamentary representatives of the district be written to, to support the same.
Jun 23: The Bendigo Advertiser reports: From N. Ingham, Axedale, asking the Council's co-operation in securing a railway between Sandhurst and Heathcote, to pass through Axedale. Received, and Town Clerk was instructed to write to the representatives of Mandurang, asking them to support the matter.]
Oct 03: The Bendigo Advertiser reports on a tour of inspection by the Minister of Railways.
1882.
Jul 06: The Mcivor Times reports that 192a, being the failed selection of Henry Lloyd, Parish of Weston, is granted to William Cheshire. [William is the brother of Mary Anne Ingham].
Aug 03: The Bendigo Advertiser, contains an article titled The New Public Buildings: The stoppage in the work of constructing the foundations for the new public buildings, caused by the inability of the contractors to get a sufficient supply of suitable stone, was only very temporary, and now the work is proceeding with fair rapidity. Owing to the large quantity of stone required, the resources of the Harcourt and Malmsbury quarries were taxed to the extreme, but since then the stone has been opened out on, and a large supply is now daily coming to hand. The contractor is also obtaining stone from the quarries of Mr. Ingham, at Axedale, and it is being carted in by teams. It will be remembered that these quarries were prominently mentioned when the Heathcote railway was first proposed, and it will be pleasing to those who endeavored to make known the value of the quarries at Axedale to learn that the contractor for the buildings speaks in high terms of the stone, and states that for certain portions of the work it is much preferable to that from either Malmsbury or Harcourt. It is more easily dressed, and, although being softer, is just as durable. There are now several masons trimming the stone, and the contractor expects when he has had the supply of stone increased that he will employ twenty-five more. The excavations for the foundation are being rapidly proceeded with, all the available labor being put on. The gas engine which is erected on the ground to drive a Chilian mill is now ready for use. Yesterday afternoon the gates of the enclosure were opened, and a large number of citizens inspected the works.
Dec 14: The Mcivor Times reports on the Heathcote Licensing Court includes: Napthali Ingham, Axedale.
1883.
Nov 28: Napthali Ingham places an advertisement in the Bendigo Advertiser: Wanted Man, to drive horses. N. Ingham, Quarry Hotel, Axedale.
Dec 15: The Argus, in an article titled Melbourne Wool and Station Produce Report, includes: N Ingham over Axedale, 2 bales lambs 6 ½d.
1884.
Jan 10: Ingham advertises in the Bendigo Advertiser: Wanted Masons, to dress kerb. Apply N. Ingham, Quarry Hotel, Axedale.
1887.
Mar 18: The Kerang times carries an article from the Axedale Correspondent that, among details of the route of the line, includes: There is a local industry being carried on here, which is capable of being largely developed, namely, the bluestone quarry, the proprietor of which, Mr. J. Ingham, deserves credit for the perserving[sic] manner in which he has worked the quarry under discouraging circumstances. He has raised some immense blocks of stone, one some time back measuring 16ft 6in by 12ft by 2ft. There is one at present lying in the quarry measuring 9 by 6 by 2 feet, which is without a flaw, and, when struck, rings like a bell. There are many more of the same size and quality in sight. Mr. Ingham has purchased the engine and stone sawing machine which were used for cuitting the stone at the new public buildings at Sandhurst, and he, therefore, in future intends to supply stone in the finished state. When the railway is completed he intends to have a tramway connected with the line above Mr. Heffernan's estate [present day Marydale] from the quarry, it having been surveyed and found possible. He will then be able to deliver the stone, with expedition, in any quantity, and at a cheap rate, to any. part of the colonies. The stone is harder, and of better quality than that found at Malmsbury, and there is an inexhaustible supply sufficient, as Mr. Ingham tersely puts it, "to build a city.""
Jun 30: The Bendigo Advertiser carries an article detailing a walking party's excursion on the propose railway line to Axedale. They call at Ingham's quarries: In some parts of the river the banks are very steep, and as there are any quantity of boulders of honeycomb bluestone jutting out here and there on the surface, it gives a peculiarly ?? appearance when viewed from any distance. Having got thus far, and remembering our intention of walking home again, we retraced our steps to the main road, close to Mr. N. Ingham's place. Knowing that he had lately erected a sawing plant, we called on him and asked him to show us his quarries and plant. We had ?? and noticed he had a table ready ?? to saw. Mr. Ingham intends to construct a tramway about a mile long to connect his quarry with the railway line.
1888.
May 23: Axedale Bluestone Quarries and Stone Cutting Company: Prospectus - A Prospectus is advertised for the Company to be registered under the Companies' Act. Provides details of existing plant. Mr. Frederick R. Read, Manager of the Lethbridge Stone Quarry, provides a testimonial for Mr. Ingham's Quarry at Axedale, having never seen a better quarry.
1889.
Apr 29: Ingham places an advertisement in the Bendigo Advertiser: Masons. N. Ingham, Quarry Hotel, Axedale.
Jun 25: In an article about the construction of the Axedale Picnic Siding - Works continue at the siding, about ½ a mile from the racecourse at the foot of the hill. The cost will be about £1,800, with a platform of 400ft in length and the necessary shelter sheds and other buildings. Six months will elapse before completion. Another siding is being constructed across the river for Mr. Ingham. He intends to lay down a tramway from his quarry to the siding. Minor passenger timetable changes are proposed.
Aug 16: The Bendigo Advertiser covers a Strathfieldsaye Shire Council meeting: From the Sandhurst City Council, requesting cooperation in an effort to induce the Minister of Railways to construct a tramway from Mr. N. Ingham's bluestone quarries at Axedale to the Heathcote line. Received, and on the motion of Cr. Burke, it was decided to inform the City Council that there is a quarry situated much closer to the railway at Axedale than Mr. Ingham's quarry.
Aug 21: The Bendigo Advertiser reports that the Heathcote Borough Council grants support to induce the Commissioner of Railways to construct a tramway from the bluestone quarries of Mr. N. Ingham, Axedale, to the Heathcote Railway Station. [This should read Heathcote railway line, one mile from Ingham's quarry.]
Aug 24: The Bendigo Advertiser reports that the Strathfieldsaye Shire Council states that there were equally as good bluestone quarries at Axedale as Mr. Ingham's, and much closer to the railway line. [This is probably a reference to the quarry on Allotments 11, 12, and 13, Section 6, property purchased by Bendigo City Council in the 1920s - probably being worked by Brazier, Nelson and Reilly at this time.]
Oct 16: The Bendigo Advertiser reports that Sandhurst City Council regrets that Strathfieldsaye Shire did not support the tramway from Ingham's quarries, and asks for reconsideration. It is still not supported as there were other quarries in the area.
Sep 07: 7th - The Bendigo Advertiser reports that the Town Clerk, Heathcote, and The Secretary, Shire of McIvor, stated that their respective councils had granted co-operate regarding a tramway from Ingham's Axedale bluestone quarries to junction with the Sandhurst and Heathcote Railway.