E.—B

1878. NEW ZEALAND. SURVEY FROM CANTERBURY TO THE WEST COAST (REPORTS ON, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASCERTAINING WHETHER A RAILWAY CAN BE MADE TO CONNECT THE WEST COAST WITH THE MAIN SYSTEM OF RAILWAYS ON THE EAST COAST).

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr. Macandrew, with the leave of the House. Not]!. —The plans connected with these Reports can be seen at the Public Works Ofllce, Wellington. EEPOETS PEEVIOUSLT PUBLISHED. (1.) Report on Survey from Canterbury to the West Coast. —Mr. Poy to the Engineer-in-Chief, dated Amuri Pass, 21st December, 1874. 'Vide Appendix, H. of 8., 1875 (E.-4., p. 2). Mr. Poy to the Engineer-in-Chief, dated Nelson, 6th March, 1875. Vide Appendix, H. of E., 1875 (E.-4., p. 4). (2.) Report on Surveys to connect Nelson and Piclon with North Canterbury. —The Engineer-in-Chief to the Hon. tho Minister for Public Works, dated Wellington, sth August, 1875. Vide Appendix, H. of E,, 1875 (E.-4., p. 9). Mr. Poy to the Engineer-in-Chief, dated Nelson, 80th June, 1875. Vide Appendix, H. of E., 1875 (E.-4., p. 10). (3.) Report on Survey of Line of Railway from Amberley to Blenheim via Hurunui and KaiJcouras. —Mr. Foy to the Engineer-in-Chief, dated Nelson, 22nd June, 1876. Vide Appendix, 11. of 8., 1876 (E.-l, p. 35). (4.) Report on Survey of Line of Raihvay between Blenheim and Nelson.- —Mr. Poy to the Engineer-in-Chief, dated Nelson, 22nd June, 1876. Vide Appendix, H. of 8., 1876 (E.-L, p. 41). The Engineer-in-Chief to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, dated Wellington, 25th July, 1876. Vide Appendix, 11. of E., 1876 (E.-L, p. 42).

No. 1. Mr. T. M. Por to the Enchneee-in-Chiei?. Sic, — Kaikoura Township, 22nd January, 1877. As instructed, I called upon the Hon. Mr. Eobinson at tho Cheviot Hills, anticipating on arrival some information from him relative to the line north from the Waiau or Conway Elvers, and was greatly surprised to find that he neither expected nor was he prepared to offer me any information upon the subject himself, nor did he refer me to any other person for it. On his remarking to me that he was very busy at the time, it being the wool season, and would continue to be for another week or ten days, I suggested to him that at the expiration of that time I should be prepared to meet himself or any other person he might choose to depute for that purpose at Mr. Eutherford's, the owner of the Mendip Hills Eun, as I had reason to believe that this was the only route he could possibly allude to. On my leaving the Cheviot Hills it was arranged between us that I should telegraph my arrival at the Kaikoura Township. This I did, and, as the above-mentioned time had expired, I also mentioned the day of meeting at Mr. Eutherford's. Being desirous that you should have the opinion of another engineer in addition to my own, I detached a small party under Mr. Simpson to proceed to Mr. Eutherford's, at the Mendip Hills, and I am sorry to have to say that Mr. Eobinson neither replied to my telegram, nor did he send any person, nor attend himself, although Mr. Simpson arrived on the day named and remained for three days after in the locality. Mr. Simpson in the meantime examined the country by himself, and his opinion on the subject will be found attached to the end of this report. I must say, in conclusion, that I found myself in anything but a pleasant position during my interview with Mr. Eobinson at the Cheviot Hills. My further report upon this line, with sketch-map, accompanies this letter. I have, &c, The Engineer-in-Chief. Thomas M. Pot.