E.—3

1877. NEW ZEALAND.

VALUATION OF THE CANTERBURY AND OTAGO PROVINCIAL RAILWAYS (REPORT OF THE).

Presented to the House of Representatives by Command of His Excellency. CANTERBURY RAILWAYS. . Sir,— Christchurch, 19th April, 1877. In pursuance of instructions, and in accordance with the terms of " The Financial Arrangements Act, 1876," we have made a careful valuation of the railway works that have been executed by the late Provincial Government of Canterbury. For this purpose we have been guided in our estimates and calculations by the lists supplied to us by the direction of the late Superintendent, and also by measurement and valuation on the ground. This valuation has been based upon what we believe to be the fair cost of such material and of executing such work at the present time. It will be as well to state that the valuation arrived at includes the reclamation and other work inside the line of timber breastwork at Lyttelton Station, excluding the wharves and jetties, the tunnel, and railway complete, including all works at Christchurch Station as far as Selwyn, the buildings, sidings, water-services, and other works executed by the province on the main line south of Selwyn, the North and branch lines as well as the Opawa branch line complete. The rolling-stock, stores, furniture, land, and telegraph system are also included. We beg to call attention to the fact that the following items have been entered in the valuation, as, from their incomplete state at the close of last year, or from other causes, there might be some grounds for misapprehension : — 1. The private grain stores in Lytteltou and Christchurch yards. 2. The contract sum for the new Christchurch station. 3. The cost of new grain store on Gladstone Pier. We have examined the deeds furnished to us relating to land purchased for railway purposes, and have checked them with the list of payments for the same, and we find a considerable number missing. As some time may elapse before the whole are forthcoming, we have the honor to call attention to the fact that we have included in this valuation the whole of the land for which payment has been made, as set forth in the list supplied to us, and append hereto a list of payments for such land for which we have up to this date been unable to obtain the deeds. A plan of land acquired for the Lyttelton and Christchurch line, with book of reference, is also forwarded; but for that portion of the railway between Christchurch and Selwyn no such plan can be found. We therefore beg to recommend that a survey of the same be at once put in hand. The land plans and deeds for the Opawa branch have also not been obtained up to this date : it is quite possible that they may be all completed and arranged, though we have been unable to obtain them. The following is our valuation of the Canterbury provincial railways, including such other works as were executed on the General Government lines. There are four amounts due by the province to the General Government, which are deducted from the total valuation, leaving the net amount to be deducted from the permanent debt, as per section 28 of " The Financial Arrangements Act, 1876." £ s. d. £ s. d. Total amount of valuation ... ... ... ... ... ... 731,759 0 0 1. Material supplied by General Government Storekeeper, on requisition of the Railway Engineer ... ... 8,059 2 5 2. To balance due for permanent-way material lent to province ... ... ... ... ... 4,918 3 2 3. Duplicates of engines, carriages, and wagon stock ... 2,656 2 5 4. Amount paid to Hemans and Bruce, for inspecting locomotives ordered by Provincial Government of Canterbury ... ... ... ... ... 156 2 6 15,789 10 6 £715,969 9 f.