3

E.—s

It may be as well also to mention that if this race is undertaken on the line at present recommended its progress will necessarily be slow, as it would take at least three years to complete the long tunnel. I would recommend, therefore, in the event of its being decided to undertake it, that this tunnel, which is estimated to cost about £12,000, should be let by contract first, and the remainder of the work then withheld for a year or two. I have, &c, C. T. O'Connoe, The Engineer-in-Chief, Wellington. District Engineer.

No. 2. The Distbict Englneeb, Hokitika, to the Engineeb-ln-Chief. Be Mikonui Bace. Sib, — District Engineer's Office, 30th August, 1875. In pursuance of report on above works dated 27th instant, I have the honor to state that I have thought, since forwarding it, that it is possible that the pipes therein alluded to as necessary in order to secure the full head available for pumping purposes at Eoss might be regarded by the mining community as properly part of the main undertaking itself, though contemplated in report as works which would appertain to the individual mining companies who might carry out the drainage of the flat. This is the more likely to be the case, because any such drainage which might be undertaken would probably not be confined to one company alone, but distributed over a number of such, so that, if each were to carry its own supply from the main race, it would be far more costly than if one large pipe were brought down to some convenient spot, out of which the requirements of the individual companies could be supplied. I have therefore put in hand the compilation of data necessary to determine the length of such a pipe, with the pressure, Ac., which it would have to sustain, and the probable carrying capacity likely to be required; and hope to be able to telegraph estimate of the cost in a day or two, but send this letter meantime, in order to explain the item to which estimate will allude. (Estimate since received, £5,300.) The material which I would recommend for this pipe would be wrought iron, on account of its being more easily removable from place to place, if necessary, than cast iron, and also on account of the facility of making junctions with it, as it would be scarcely possible to judge in the first instance where such might be required. I have, Ac, The Engineer-in-Chief, Wellington. C Y. O'Connoe, D.E. By Authority: Geobgb DidsbubTj Government I'rinter, Wellington, [Price Sd.]