D—No. 6b

38

PAPERS RELATING TO THE

Enclosure No. 1,

which are forwarded herewith. These estimates show that the line, including bridges, six in number, and the necessary stations, may be completed at a cost not exceeding £4,900 per mile. The line forms part of what must eventually be the main trunk line through the Island, and passes through a rich and settled district. The rails and the ironwork for the bridges are already ordered in London. It is not considered that during the current year it will be possible to carry the line further than Bangiora; but it is hoped that it may be proceeded with continuously, so as to reach the Eiver Kowai in about two years. There is every reason to believe that the traffic on this line will immediately be greater than that on the Southern Line, which is already a remunerative work, and which exhibits a yearly increasing traffic, as shown in the tables I have already laid before the Government. The increase in the traffic in the three years during which the Southern Line has been at work is shown in the following table of gross proceeds for the first five months in each year, viz. : — £ s. d. 18G8 ... 5,832 2 4 1869 ... 8,354 6 8 1870 ... 10,619 17 7 Second, The Southern Eailway, from Christchurch to the Eakaia, was authorized by an Act of the General Assembly in 1864. It has already been completed to the Selwyn, a distance of twenty-three and a half miles, and the traffic, as shown above, is very satisfactory. The continuation of this line to the Eakaia is surveyed, as shown in the plan in the Private Bill Office (copy herewith), and it runs for the whole distance over land which has been reserved for the purpose, and which, from its absolutely level character, presents unusual facilities for the construction of a railway. This extension is not only desirable as forming part of the main line of communication between the northern and southern extremities of the Island, but as rendering easily accessible a valuable tract of country hitherto unalienated by the Crown, chiefly on account of its distance from a market for produce. The cost of this line will not, as will be seen from the estimate contained in the attached letter from Mr. Thornton, materially exceed £4,000 per mile. Third, The line between Timaru and Wallingford (or Temuka) is also part of the trunk line through the Middle Island, and runs for the most part over level ground. It has already been carefully surveyed, and, with the exception of a small strip, the land required for the railway has been reserved. The plans are not at present in Wellington, but, if required, they can be obtained from Canterbury. There are in the possession of the Government papers giving an estimate of the traffic which may be anticipated on this line, furnished by the Board of Works, to which I beg to invite your attention. 18th August, 1870. Wm. Eolleston.

11 miles lOchains.

Enclosure No. 2,

12 miles,

.Enclosure 1 in No. 36. Details of Estimate of Cost of Construction of the Great Northern Railway, from Addington Junction to 18 miles 70 chains. [Note. —The estimate is in detail in original; the following is an abstract.] Total. Cost per Mile. £ a. d. £ s. a. Earthwork ... ... ... 6,774 16 9 ... 359 0 0 Eoad crossings ... ... ... 389 9 0 , ... 20 13 4 Eoad diversions ... ... ... 315 10 0 ... 16 13 4 Bridges ... ... ... 10,192 8 0 ... 540 0 0 Culverts ... ... ... 567 12 0 ... 31 6 8 Ballasting ... ... ... 7,315 0 0 ... 384 0 0 Permanent way ... ... ... 56,857 0 0 ... 3,012 0 0 Fencing ... ... ... 5,972 17 0 ... 315 6 8 Gates ... ... ... 1,158 10 0 ... 61 6 8 Station buildings ... ... ... 3,000 0 0 ... 160 0 0 £92,543 2 9 ... £4,900 6 S

N.B. —The estimate of £91,350 ISs. submitted to the Government is increased as above by the amount of £1,192 Bs., being the cost of carriage and driving of the piles in bridges, which was found to have been omitted after the amount had been forwarded to the Secretary for Public Works. The price put down in the estimate for rails, viz. £12 per ton, will be ample to compensate for the diiference. (1. Thornton, Bth June, 1870. Eailway Engineer.

Enclosure 2 in No. 36. Mr. Thornton to the Secretary for Public Works, Canterbury. Sic, — Eailway Engineer's Office, Christchurch, 10th August, 1870. In accordance with your instructions, I have the honor to forward the enclosed detailed estimate of the cost of constructing the Northern Eailway.