E.—4c.

10

No. 22. The Hon. the Ministee for Public Wobks to Mr. J. W. Thomson. Sic,— Public Works Office, Wellington, sth April, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo, respecting the deviation of the Mataura to Clutha Railway by way of Waitepeka, and in reply to inform you that, the Engineer-in-Chief's engagements having obliged him to proceed to Auckland almost immediately after his return from the South, his report on the route of the railway southward of Balclutha has been necessarily postponed until his return. I have, &c, W. H. Reynolds, (in absence of the Minister for Public Works). J. W. Thomson, Esq., M.H.R., Clinton, Otago.

No. 23. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Otago, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Province of Otago, New Zealand, Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 22nd May, 1875. At the request of the Railway Deviation Committee, I have the honor to forward the enclosed letter relative to the line between Balclutha and Clinton. I would at same time again venture to urge upon the favourable consideration of tho Government the views expressed in my letters of 29th September and 4th December, 1874, on this subject. I have, &c, J. Macandbew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 23. Seceetaey to Railway Committee to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Otago. Sic, — Waitepeka, 13th May, 1875. At a meeting of the Railway Deviation Committee, held at Puerua, 30th ultimo, I was desired to bring the notice of this meeting before you, the purpose of which has been fully reported on in the Bruce Herald of 4th May, and Clutha Leader of 6th May, and to request that you would at once put yourself in communication with the Minister of Public Works, and request that no further steps be taken in regard to this portion of the line, viz. between Balclutha and Clinton, until meeting of the General Assembly. Our representatives, with your recommendation, are to bring it before the present meeting of Council, with the hope that the members thereof will at once indorse what action our representatives have already taken in the matter, likewise your own and the Executive's recommendation to the Minister for Public Works, and the earnest hope that your Honor will, both in Council and Assembly, give us your aid in securing this boon to the district. I have, &c, John Someetille, His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. Secretary to Railway Committee.

No. 24. The Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks to Mr. J. W. Thomson. Sic,— Public Works Office, 18th June, 1875. With reference to my letter of the sth April, I have now the honor to enclose a copy of the report that has been furnished by the Engineer-in-Chief relative to the deviation of a portion of the Mataura and Clutha Railway proposed by the settlers in the Waitepeka Valley and its neighbourhood, and to inform you that the Government have decided to adopt the line originally surveyed. I have, &c., J. W. Thomson, Esq., M.H.R., Brooklands, Clinton. E. Richabdson.

No. 25. The Undee Seceetaey for Public Woeks to Mr. D. Whylock. Sin,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 18th June, 1875. With reference to the Hon. Mr. Richardson's letter of the sth April, I am now directed to enclose a copy of the report furnished by the Engineer-in-Chief in reference to the deviation of a portion of the Mataura to Clinton line, suggested by the settlers in the Waitepoka Valley and its neighbourhood, and to state that the Government have decided to adopt the line originally proposed, in preference to the suggested deviation. I have, &c., John Knowles, D. Whylock, Esq., Balclutha. Under Secretary.