9

E.—4c

Creek, seeming to pay no attention to the interests of those large districts that were being sacrificed if such decision were carried out. A memorial was again sent, this time to the Minister for Public Works ; likewise a deputation to his Honor the Superintendent, when the whole matter was explained to his Honor, which at once approved itself to him, who told the deputation that he would at once write to the Minister for Public Works strongly recommending the Waitepeka deviation. The reply we have no doubt you have seen, which reply has been the means of bringing us before you, and for your information we would now lay before you such information as is of paramount importance to the interests of these districts, that it should at once recommend itself to the Government. The traffic of these districts is now very large, and daily increasing. The cultures are very extensive, embracing an extent of country for which no communication but the sea has been had from the earliest settlement, which has not been at all times satisfactory. By the railway being carried by way of Waitepeka, it places the line in such a position that it commands the whole traffic of the districts. If taken by the Four-Mile Creek, it at once places the railway at such a distance that the traffic will be divided between the railway and the sea. By the line going by Waitepeka a very large trade would be done in coal and passenger traffic, besides the usual traffic of goods. The Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Wellington.

No. 17. t The Hon. the Commissionee of Customs to Mr. D. Hendeeson, Clutha. Sic, — 6th January, 1875. Since my return to this, I have laid before the Hon. the Minister for Public Works the memorandum of the deputation which waited upon me re the Clutha and Mataura Railway. He informs me that the Engineer-in-Chief (Mr. Carruthers) will personally visit the proposed line within a month, and that until the receipt of his report the Government will not decide which route will be taken. I have, &c, D. Henderson, Esq., M.P.C., Clutha. W. H. Reynolds.

No. 18. The Hon. the Commissionee of Customs to Mr. J. W. Thomson. Sic, — 6th January, 1875. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 24th December, and now enclose copy of a letter I have this day written to Mr. Henderson, a member of the deputation who waited upon mo in Dunedin. From this letter you will perceive that the Hon. the Minister for Public Works intends to have the route of the Clutha and Mataura Railway further reported upon before finally fixing it. I am, &c, J. W. Thomson, Esq., M.H.R., Clutha. W. H. Reynolds.

No. 19. Mr. J. W. Thomson to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Wobks. Sic, — Brooklands, Clinton, 27th March, 1875. It is now nearly two months since Mr. Carruthers, Engineer-in-Chief, visited the Clutha, with the view of reporting to the Government regarding the proposed deviation by way of Waitepeka. The residents in the districts chiefly interested are now anxious to know the tenor of Mr. Carruthers' report. I shall therefore be glad to hear from you on the subject at your earliest convenience. I have, &c, Hon. E. Richardson. J. W. Thomson.

No. 20. Mr. D. WnTLOCK to the Hon. the Commissionee of Customs. (Telegram.) Balclutha, 28th March, 1875. What decision Waitepeka Railway ? Committee specially want reply to-morrow. Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Blenheim. Daniel Whtlock.

No. 21. The Undee Seceetaey for Public Woeks to Mr. D. Whylock. Sic,— Public Works Office, Wellington, sth April, 1875. I am directed by the Hon. Mr. Reynolds to express his regret that he has been unable to reply to your telegram of the 28th March, owing to his absence from Wellington, and to state that the Engineer-in-Chief's engagements have obliged him to proceed to Auckland. His report in reference to the route of the railway southward of Balclutha has been necessarily postponed until his return. I have, &c, J. Knowles, Mr. David Whylock, Balclutha. Under Secretary.