So in May 1895 the Government seized the company's assets and completed works under the Railways Construction and Land Act 1881, on the grounds that the contract had expired with the works incomplete. Legal argument and court actions between the parties ensued and was not finally resolved by the Privy Council in England until May 1903. In 1898 the Public Works Department took over and resumed work. The government took over 131 km of track plus 21 stations, 80 bridges, 3 tunnels, 6 locomotives and rolling stock (seven passenger cars and three brake vans). A token payment of £150,000 was made to the company.