CONSTRUCTION OE RAILWAYS.

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I).—So. 6a.

The road can cross the shingle-beds, but a centre-span of about 100 feet will be required for a railway. This will make the viaducts across the wide gullies perfectly safe. All small watercourses have, as a rule, soft bottoms, and require bridges. In conclusion, I may add that very rarely a dividing range will be crossed with less difficulties than that between the East and West Coasts by the line proposed I have, &c, John Blackett, Esq., Acting Engineer-in-Chief, Charles Weber. Wellington.

No. 59. His Honor J. D. Oemond to the Hon. AV. Gisboene. (Telegram.) Napier, 11th January, 1871. On reference to Eailway Act, clause 13, I see material and plant may be procured in anticipation of assent of Assembly, and would urge that plant for railway to Paki from Napier, about twenty miles, should be sent for now, so that no delay may occur in the work when approved. There is no question Hawke's Bay Provincial Council will agree to set aside land for that purpose. Hon. AV. Gisborne, Wellington. Ormond.

No. 60. The Hon. AV. Gisborne to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sie, — Colonial Secretary's Office, AVellington, 14th April, 1871. In reference to your telegram of the 11th of January last, in which you urge that the necessary plant for the railway from Napier to the Paki Paki, a distance of twenty miles, should be ordered from England, in anticipation of the reservation by the Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay of land for the purpose, I have to inform your Honor that the Government will be prepared to make all necessary arrangements for the importation of the plant, so that delay may not occur when the line is ready for such plant. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Napier. AV. Gisborne.

No. 61. His Honor J. D. Oemond to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Napier, Ist June, 1.871. On the 4th Afay I had the honor to send you the draft of a Bill I purposed submitting to the Provincial Council of this Province on the subject of setting aside lands for railways, and requesting the favour of a reply as to whether the proposed Act provided sufficiently for the object desired. On the 13th Alay you were good enough to send me the opinion of the Attorney-General, who thought the Bill premature, and recommended the passing of resolutions agreeing to set aside lands. I now enclose copy of a resolution passed unanimously by the Provincial Council, by which that body undertakes to appropriate by Act, in terms of tho 17th and 20th clauses of " The Immigration and Public AVorks Act, 1570," such waste lands of the Crown in this Province as may be required to secure the construction of the proposed railways. As the purchase of the Seventy-Alile Bush is now virtually completed, this undertaking includes those lands. I shall be glad to hear from you by telegraph, on receipt of this letter, whether you consider the resolution sufficient for the purpose it is intended for, in order that, if it requires amendment, it may be done before the Session of the Provincial Council terminates. I have, &c, J. D. Ormond, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 61. Eesolution of Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay. Me. Oemond moved —" Whereas by the 12th clause of " The Eailways Act, 1870," the Governor is authorized to cause such inquiries, reports, and surveys to be made, and such acts and proceedings to be taken, as may be necessary to enable him to submit to the General Assembly during its next Session proposals for the construction of a railway from Napier to AVellington and from AVellington to Wanganui and New Plymouth : And whereas by the 17th and 20th clauses of " The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1570," it is provided that the waste lands of the Crown in any Province may be set aside, sold, or given in lieu of payment for the construction of railways : And whet sas this Council desires to express its willingness to make provision for the construction of the railway from Napier to Wellington and the West Coast, —It is resolved, that this Council undertakes t< le and appropriate by Act, in terms of the 17th and 20th clauses of "The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870," such parts of the waste lands of the Crown situate within the Province of Hawke's Bay as may be required for the construction of the railways above referred to ; and further undertakes, that, on the completion of the purchase of the lands known as the Seventy-Alile Bush, such portion of those lands as may be required shall be included in such appropriation for the purpose aforesaid." Air. Tanner seconded the resolution. Carried unanimously. Jno. Buchanan, Speaker. 8