To Hon W. Johnston.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4561, 6 December 1882, Page 4

To Hon W. Johnston.

Dec. 5, 1882. Aa requeßled doputation will wait on you on Monday morning at elevon. W. Dbvbnish Mbabbs, [Pbb Pbbsb Association.] NELSON, Dbo. 5. Tho Hoyal Commissioners for the trunk railway in the South Island arrived this afternoon, and at once commenced taking evidence. Mr Robert Disher, junior, late manager for Mes.rß Edwards and Kerr, of Tarnilalo ; Adolph Weisenhaven, who resided at Top House for many yoarß ; William White, former occupier of Top House Bnd Tarndale ; and Nathaniel Fowlor, lato runholder in the same distriot, oach gave testimony. Thoy were unanimous in stating that snow and frost wore no obstacles to the proposed line, Mr Disher stating that he mustered once a rconth all one winter. They said that snow was occasionally deep in oxposed gulliej, but it was not sufficient on tho levels to impede traffic. They all spoke highly of the quality of the land, and said thero wore largo areas fit for settlement. No grain, but oats had bceu grown hitherto becauso thero was no market for other descriptions within roaob. Oatß grew botwoan fivo and six feot high, and yioldod well. Thoy also roferred to the quantity and quality of fruit tfrown in the diatrict.