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1875. NEW ZEALAND.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED RAILWAY DEVIATION AT WAITEPEKA, ON THE CLUTHA AND MATAURA RAILWAY. (CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS RELATING THERETO.)

Return to an Order of the Mouse of Representatives, dated 3rd August, 1875, " That there be laid on the table all petitions and correspondence connected with the proposed railway deviation at Waitepeka."— (M r. Thomson.)

No. 1. The Disteict Engineeb, Invercargill, to Mr. J. W. Thomson. Sib, — Public Works Office, Invercargill, 25th August, 1874. I have had accurate surveys made for railway diversions as recommended by you to the Hon. tho Minister for Public Works, also in your favour to myself 23rd December, 1873. I find that the diversion will be about three-quarters of a mile longer than the original line as set out; will entail extra expense in earthwork to the extent of £12,500; and much steeper gradients will be required. As in time there is sure to be a branch line running to Port Molyneux, would not that give most of the settlers who would be accommodated by tho diversion all the advantages they require, as I cannot see my way to recommend such increase of expenditure ? I nave, &c, W. Beunton, James W. Thomson, Esq., Foxwell, Port Molyneux. District Engineer.

No. 2. The Disteict Engineeb, Invercargill, to the Engineee-in-Chlef. Sic— Public Works Office, Invercargill, 26th August, 1874. James W. Thomson, M.H.R. for Clutha, in December last applied to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works to have tho line preliminarily surveyed by me from Mataura to Clutha diverted for some ten miles—viz., from seventy-eight to eighty-eight miles, running down the Waitapeka instead of the Toiro Valley. I was also instructed to see if this was feasible. I find the diversion will entail extra earthwork of 125,000 cubic yards; gradients of 1 in 60 instead of lin 92; and about threequarters of a mile longer—say excess earthwork (long lead) ... ... £12,500 Three-quarters of a mile ... ... ... ... ... 3,000 £15,500 The diversion does run through land thickly settled and under cultivation on both sides ; the line through Toiro Valley is settled and cultiyated only on one at present, but a line of railway will, I believe, soon alter the features of both. I enclose copy of letter I have written to Mr. Thomson (and will forward copy of his answer as soon as it is to hand) ; also a sketch showing the two routes and the locality of Port Molyneux, in reference to them. If you agree the old line shall be the one, please let me know by telegram, that I may have it staked out. I have, &c., W. Beunton, The Engineer-in-Chief, Wellington. District Engineer. P.S.—I also send you by this mail tracing of diversion taken, and find I cannot get into Waitepeka Valley without less cost of eartlrwork. —W.B.

No. 3. Mr. J. W. Thomson to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks. Sib, — Dunedin, 28th September, 1874. You may recollect that towards the end of last year I wrote you on the subject of a I—E. 4c.