CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAYS.

D—No. 6b

35

MARLBOROUGH. No. 27. His Honor A. P. Seymotje to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Sib,— September 6th, 1870. In the matter of the Picton and Blenheim Railway Bill, I desire to point out to you that ever since the year 1861, the construction of a railway between the above towns has been considered highly desirable. That, on two occasions, the Legislature has passed acts authorising the construction of the same, and, on one occasion, has passed a Loan Act for raising the necessary funds. Tho effect of such a railway would be to give the larger and more settled part of the Province access to a good, and safe, and convenient harbor, inferior to none in New Zealand. The harbor of Port Underwood is unsuitable, as the only communication with it for the conveyance of goods is through small coasting vessels, by way of the Wairau River, which has a bar entrance, and, except in times of flood, will only admit vessels drawing about 5 feet water. The proposed railway would carry our wool, and flax, and agricultural produce to the place of shipment; and, in addition, the line passes through a timbered country, suitable for settlement; and this part supplies nearly all the timber, fencing, and firewood consumed in the central portion of the Province. There are now, in the office of the Colonial Secretary, full plans and sections of the proposed line, executed by one of the principal engineers of the Queensland Railway. A similar communication with Port Underwood, although the line is not so long, would cost far more money to make, from the great engineering difficulties presented on that route, and would not pass through any timbered country, nor through a district suitable for settlement. I have no hesitation in saying that if the Picton and Blenheim railway is carefully and economically constructed, the Province wi 11 be able, under the present financial proposals, to guarantee interest on the outlay without loss to its future revenues. • I have, &c, The Hon. Colonial Secretary, Wellington. A. P. Setmottb, Superintendent.

No. 28. The Hon. W. Gisboene to His Honor A. P. Seymotjb. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sib,— Wellington, 21st September, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th inst., on the advisability of constructing a railway between Picton and Blenheim, and to thank your Honor for the suggestion contained therein. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Marlborough. W. Gisboese.

No. 29. His Honor A. P. Setjioub to the Hon. W. Gisbobne. Sib,— Picton, October 20th, 1870. In the matter of the Picton and Blenheim railway, I am given to understand that there is a probability of cerLain persons in Australia forming themselves into a company to construct the above works in accordance with the provisions of the Railways Act, 1870. May I ask if, in the event of this taking place, the General Government would authorise the construction of the same in manner provided in the Act. I have, &c, A. P. Setmotte, The Hon. Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 30. The Hon. W. Gisboene to His Honor A. P. Setmotjb. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sib, — 4th November, 1870, I hare the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th ult., in which your Honor informs me that you are given to understand that there is a probability of a company being formed in Australia to construct the Picton and Blenheim railway in accordance with the provisions of the Railways Act, 1870. In reply, I beg to inform your Honor that the Government will be prepared to consider a proposal for the formation of the railway in question, if based on the guarantee principle. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Marlborough. W. Gisboene.