CONSTRUCTION OP RAILWAYS.

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D.— No. 6b.

V.—EAKAIA TO TEMUKA AND TIMAETT TO TEMIJKA. I. —Eakaia to Temuka. No. 77. Mr. Blackett to the Hon. W. Gisbobne. Sib,— Public Works Office, Dunedin, sth May, 1871. I have the honor to forward for your information, three telegrams having reference to proposed reconnaisance surveys in Canterbury, one from the Eakaia to the Temuka Station . and to state that I have been instructed by the Hon. F. D. Bell to accept the tender for the work on the terms proposed. The surveys will be proceeded with at once. I hayfe, &c, Hon. W. Gisborne, Minister for Works, Joiiif Blackett, Wellington. Acting Engineer-iu-Chief.

II. —TIMAEU TO TEMUKA. No. 78. The Hon. E. W. Staffobd to the Hon. J. Vogel. Sib,— Wellington, 12th September, 1870. I do myself the honor to transmit copies of certain resolutions passed by the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works, relative to the Eangitata Bridge, and to the proposed line of railway between Timaru and Temuka, for which I request the favourable consideration of the Government. I have, &c, The Hon. Julius Vogel. E. W. Staffoed.

Enclosure in No. 78. Resolved, That the Board of Works views with great satisfaction the promise of the General Government to aid in or undertake the construction of a line of railway between Timaru and Temuka. That the Board of Works would however respectfully urge upon the attention of the General Government and His Honor the Superintendent the necessity of an immediate commencement of the line, as much loss and inconvenience has this year been occasioned to the general public for want of better and surer means of communication, such as the proposed line would afford. The Board further desires to suggest to the General Government and His Honor the Superintendent, that the contemplated line be constructed on the gauge which is to be adopted for all future railways outside the Canterbury Plains, as the undulating nature of the country in and around Timaru will otherwise necessitate considerable additional outlay in constructing lines of railway on the Canterbury system, over and above what it would cost to construct lines on the General Government narrow-gauge system. That the Eangatata Bridge is also adapted to carry a light line. That the General Government be respectfully requested to proceed at once with the preliminary survey, or to instruct the Board of Works to do so. That copies of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to the General Government, to His Honor the Superintendent, and the Members representing this District in the General Assembly. Sesolved, That the Board see no reason to alter the present bridge over the Eangitata, as it hasbeen calculated by the late Mr. Paterson to carry a narrow-gauge railway.

No. 79. The Hon. W. Gisbobne to the Hon. E. "W". Stafford. Sib,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 18th October, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th ultimo, addressed to the Hon. J. Vogel, transmitting resolutions passed by the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works relative to the Eangitata Bridge, and the proposed line of railway between Timaru and Temuka, and to inform you that these resolutions will be carefully considered by the Government. I have, &c, The Hon. E. W. Stafford, Nelson. W. Gisboene.

No. 80. Mr. Hoetok to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Bib,— Timaru, Bth October, 1870. I have the honor, by direction of the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works, to forward you the enclosed copy of a resolution passed at a meeting of the Board on Thursday, in reference to the proposed line of railway between Timaru and Temuka. I have, &c, A. G. Hohton, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Secretary. 13