CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAYS

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D.—No. 6b

Enclosure in No. 21. Copy of Resolution moved by Councillor Nicholl, seconded by Councillor Puscell. That no permission to occupy that portion of the roadway within the Borough of Greymouth, available for railway purposes, be granted until the settlement of the subject at present being discussed by the Nelson Government, as to which side of the Grey Eiver the railway from the Brunner mine shall be constructed. Also, that a copy of this resolution be communicated to the General Government, and likewise ot His Honor the Superintendent of the Province of Nelson and the Chairman of the County Council. Carried unanimously. E. Wicks, 28th April, 1871. Mayor.

IV. TEAMWAY AND EAILWAY TO GEEY COAL MINES BY LOCAL COMPANIES. No. 22. Mr. Wylde to the Hon. W. Gisboene. The Gbey Valley Tbamway Company, Limited. Greymouth, West Coast, g IE _ New Zealand, May 19, 1871. The Directors of this Company having learnt that the General Government proposes to make a railway from the coal mines on the Grey to the port, have instructed mo to lay the following facts This Company, having procured the sanction of the Governor's delegate, and having purchased the necessary land, have commenced the formation of a tramway on the south side of the river, from Greymouth to the Coal Gorge, with the intention of continuing it up the Grey Valley. Prom their intimate knowledge of the district, the directors are convinced that a tramway, which can be used also as ahorse, cattle and foot track, will supply all the local requirements for some time to come, and will have a greater tendency to promote settlement than a railway; but should the Government be of opinion that a locomotive line is more desirable, they are prepared to increase their capital, lay down iron rails, and work the line with engines. With the present plan, which provides for heavy wooden rails, (8J inches by 4 inches) they will be prepared, in addition to the ordinary goods and passenger traffic, to bring down all the coal for which there can be a demand until the'port is improved, or they will undertake to maintain a stock of 1,000 tons at the port. Should the cost of coal at the mines be so reduced, and the facilities of shipping so increased as to lead to a very much larger demand for coal, it would probably be desirable to add iron rails and work the lines with engines, which they will be prepared to do, the line being formed with easy gradients and curves suitable for a railway. The line will pass the entrance to the mine on the south side of the river, and the directors propose to convey the coal from the Brunner mine on to their line by means of a wire tramway across the river, thus doing away with the necessity of a costly bridge. The gauge of the tramway is 2 feet, 6 inches, but the directors are willing to increase it to 3 feet 6 inches sliould the Government desire it, and are prepared to submit their plans and specifications for the approval of the Government Engineer. The directors arc of opinion that their line will supply all the requirements of the local trade, but, at the same time, they have no wish to place any obstacles in the way of a more costly line to be paid for by Government funds. Should they, therefore, learn from you that the Government positively intends to form a competing line, they may consider it desirable to stop their works before further expenditure is incurred. The amount already expended and liabilities incurred by them is £2,00 d, and they have called for tenders for further portions of the work. I enclose a prospectus of the company. I have, &c, James Wylde, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Engineer and Secretary.

No. 23. Mr. Blackett to the Hon. W. Gisboene. (Telegram). Greymouth, May 29, 1871. Enquired as to the claims of Tramway Company, and received following from Chairman County Council: " Grey Valley Tramway Company has received promise of protection, if certain conditions are complied with, this has not been done, nor is it likely to be done. H. H. Lahmann." I have, &c, John Blackett, The Hon. W. Gisborne, Wellington. Acting Engineer-in-Chief. 5