AUCKLAND AND DRURY RAILWAY.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2677, 14 February 1866, Page 5

AUCKLAND AND DRURY RAILWAY.

Message 17. The Superintendent has received from the Speaker a copy of tbe resolutions passed by the Council on the Ist of February, resolving that the Railway Commissioners Act ought to be amended, and that it is desirable, as far as practicable, that the railway should be carried out under the supervision of the Provincial Executive. When the present Superintendent came into office one of the first subjects to which he gave his attention was the railway. There appeared to exist a certain amount of dissatisfaction with the proceedings of the Railway Board, and a desire that their work should be transferred to the ordinary department of the Government, and the Superintendent feels that he might at any time be called upon to express his opinioi 1 , and ,to take some action in the matter. The Superintendent found on inquiring that the Eailway Board had been constituted somewhat in contravention of the spirit, if not the letter, of the Auckland and Drury Eailway Act, passed by the General Assembly. On careful examination, however, of the position in which the railway affairs sttod, it appeared that all the steps necessary to acquire the laud required had been taken, and all the contracts for the completion of the line from Mechanics' Bay, as far as Onehunga, except the contracts for plate-laying, ballasting, and stations, entered into. It did not, therefore, seem to the Superintendent that much discretion was left to whomsoever the completion of the railway was entrusted ; and as a certain amount of difficulty would result from a change of management, he decided not to interfere beyond a careful exercise of the powers that were left him. The Council, however, have expressed a clear opinion that the Act under which the Commissioners were appointed should be amended, and that for the future the railway should be carried on under the supervision of the Provincial Government, The Superintendent is anxious to meet their views as far aa practicable. Since the resolutions referred to were passed by the Council, the Commissioner* have intimated to the Superintendent that .they are anxious to throw no obstacle in his way, and will at o»ce resign if he thinks fit. A copy of their letter and the Superintendent's answer are transmitted herewith. The Superintendent has come to the conclusion that properly the first step to be taken by him should be to institute a. careful examination of the railway works by » board of inquiry of competent engineers. It is obviously only fair to all parties that thii should be done before any change of management takes place, and especially so as to the Railway Commissioners and their engineers. Colonel Mould, the officer commanding the Royal Engineers, has consented to act on the Board, and the Engineer-in-Cbief and Mr. William Jao.es Dalton have been associated with him. Mr. Dalton has recently arrived from* England, where he has had experience as a railway engineer. A copy of the instructions given to the Board accompanies this message. The Superintendent will obtain a reporb with as little delay as the work to be done will permit, and

then he will be prepared to scud down to the Council, as the/ request;, a bill for the purpose of giving effect to their resolutions. — I have, &c, Fred. Whitaker, Superintendent. Superintendent's Office, Auckland, February 13, 1866.

Auckland and Drury Railway, February 5, 1866. Sir,— l am instructed by the Railway Commissioners to inform your Honor that they have no desire by retaining office to impede any action your Honor may take, relative to proposed alterations in the Commissioners Act, nor will they hesitate at once to resign their commissions into your bauds if, in your opinion, the railway interests would be materially benefited thereby. On behalf of the llailioad Board.— l am, &c, (Signed) Thomas Cheeseman. His Honor the Superintendent.

Superintendent a Office, Auckland, February 7, 1866. Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt o£ your letter of the sth instaufc, informing mo that the Railway Commissioners have no desire, by retaining office, to impede any action I may take relative to the proposed alteration in the Commissioners Act, and express their readiness at once to resign their commissions if, in my opinion, the railway interests would be materially benefited thereby. Tn reply,' I have the honour tt> request that you will state to the Commissioners that I fully appreciate their offer, and the spirit in which it is made, at the same time offering to them my thanks for the step they bare taken. I am now consulting what course it will be proper and advantageous for me to adopt in reference to the resolutions passed by the Provincial Council, and as f>oon as I can come to some conclusion. I will at oiice inform you of my views. — I have, &c, Fkedkbjck Whitaker, Superintendent. Chairman Auckland and Drury Railway Commissioners.

Superintendent's Office, February 12, 1866. Sir, — I have the honour to enclose an appointment of the three gentlemen named (Colonel Mould, C.8. ; W. Weaver, Esq.; and W. J. Dalton, Ksq.) as a board to investigate all matters connected with the railway which shall be referred to them, and to report thereon; and also a memorandum, detailing the points to which I am desirous at present that they should direct their attention. — I have, &c, F. Whitaker. Memorandum detailing matters relative to the Auckland and Drury Railway, to be inquired into by the Board appointed for the purpose : — 1. The nature and extent of existing contracts. 2. The gross liabilities under them. 3. The total payment's by Commissioners (classified). 4. The total liabilities of ditto. 5. The nature, description, and character of the works already executed, and those remaining to be done, necessary to render the line fit for traffic (including Auckland terminus as proposed by the Commissioners, stations, telegraph, &c). 6. An estimate of the total outlay necessary to open the line for traffic as above, from Auckland to Onehunga. 7. An estimate of the cost of completing the line for traffic to Drury. 8. The cost of the rolling stock requisite for the line in each case. 9. An estimate of saving (if any) to be effected by any alteration or modification of the works as proposed by the Commissioners. (Signed) Frederick Whitakek. February 12, 1866.