D.—No. 6b

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PAPERS BELATING TO THE

approached point of the field- —first to the port of Westport, and ultimately to any main line of rail laid down between the two Provincial termini, Nelson and Cobden. The obstacles which have hitherto existed in the way of such a work being undertaken, have beea the high, and your committee are disposed to believe, exaggerated estimate formed as to the cost of constructing a sufficiently suitable railway from Mount Eochfort to Westport, and the absence of adequate encouragement, by guaranteed interest or otherwise, to any company of capitalists who might be prepared to undertake that work solely, without reference to the general proposal of a railway from Nelson to the West Coast. Tour committee consider that a further and close examination of the country, undertaken with & view to the construction of the lighter forms of railway, or wire tramway, now so generally recommended as the works most suitable for similar situations, would result in demonstrating that sufficient facilities for the conveyance of coal from the mine to Westport, might be furnished at a much lower cost than that indicated in existing estimates, Though they have no actual evidence before them that such would be the case, they feel justified in coming to that conclusion by their partial knowledge of the situation, and by a comparison of the results in similar situations where the more modern systems of railway construction have been adopted. They are further justified in doing so by the statement contained in Mr. Wrigg's report, that in the actual construction of the proposed railway, the discovery of coal in closer proximity to Westport is a highly probable contingency. And with regard to tho best means of encouraging the construction of such works, and thereby developing this valuable coal field, your committee consider that ample primary provision for that purpose is made by two measures, passed during the last session of the General Assembly, the Public Works and Immigration Act, 1870; and they venture to consider that, if advantage is to be taken of those Acts, (sic) with a proper regard for the general interest of the Province, and with an equal regard for the development of a portion of the public estate, which is of the highest value to the Colony as a whole, the construction of a railway from the Eochfort coal field to the port of Westport, either as a separate line, or as an integral and essential portion of the Nelson and West Coast railway, is one of the works which should be specially recommended by the Council to his Excellency the Governor. The committee are, therefore, of opinion that, with a view to promote the early execution of tho proposed work, His Honor the Superintendent should be empowered to take, in this case, as in the case of the proposed Brunner and Foxlrill railways, the steps necessary to bring it under the notice of the Governor, and they beg to submit for the adoption of the Council, the following resolution : — ''That in the opinion of this Council, it is highly desirable that a line of railway from Westport to the Mount Eochfort coal field should be constructed under the authority of, and in the manner provided by the Public Works and Immigration Act, 1870." Alexandee Eeid, Chairman-

No. 20. The Hon. W. Gisbobne to His Honor Oswald Cuetis. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sib,— Wellington, 29th July, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, in which you transmit copies of three resolutions passed by the Provincial Council of the Province of Nelson, recommending certain railway works to be executed under the provisions of the Immigration and Public Works Act. A survey is now being made of a line of railway from Nelson to Foxhill, and I hope to be able to furnish you shortly with a copy of Messrs. Blackett and Hector's report on the best line between the coal fields on the Grey and the shipping port. With respect to the line from Westport to Mount Eochfort Coal Field, you express an opinion that some further and more complete scientific exploration would be desirable before the precise route and terminus of the line are decided upon. The Government concur in this opinion of your Honor ; but I need scarcely inform you that such an exploration cannot be conducted at this season, the summer being the only one in which it can be successfully undertaken. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson. W. Gisbobke.

No. 21. Mr. Whali to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Borough Council, Sib,— Greymouth, 29th April, 1871. I have the honor to forward the attached copy of a resolution passed by the Council of the* Borough of Greymouth, in re applications received by the Council requesting permission to be allowed to construct a line of tram and railway from the North-east boundary of the Borough to Mawhera Quay. I have, &c, John A. "Whall, The Hon. W. Gisborne, Colonial Secretary, Town Clerk. Wellington.