D.—No. 6c

8

RAILWAY BRIDGES

Enclosure to No. 8. Mr. Blackett to His Honor W. Bolleston. Sib, — . h March, .... I have the honor to inform you that I have, in conjunction with }Ir. Thornton, estimated the cost of converting the Bakaia Bridge into a structure lit to carry railway traffic, embodying those alterations assented to by Mr. Bray, as well as those which I have pointed out as being necessary before it can be accepted for railway purposes : and that I consider Mr. "White's tender for all the additional work is reasonable, and may be accepted. Amount of tender—Eight thousand five hundred and sixty-four pounds. I have, &c, John Blackext, His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. Acting Engineer in Chief.

No. 9. Memoeasetjm by the Hon. F. D. Bell, for His Honor W. Bolleston. Me. Rolleston, — Christchurch, 14th March, 1871. Adverting to your Honor's minute of this date, on the subject of completing the present wooden bridge over the Eakaia liiver so as to make it a railway bridge, I have communicated to the Minister of Public Works the substance of what took place between your Honor and myself with the Acting Engineer, Mr. Blackett; and Mr. Gisborne having signified his concurrence therein I have now to convey to you the approval of the General Government to the proposal for executing the work. The Minister for Public Works will accordingly recommend to the General Assembly to take over the bridges as part of the Southern Eailway, and redeem the tolls according to the estimate made by Mr. Blackett. P. D. Bell, In the absence of Mr. Gisborne.