E.—2a.

The railway from Timaru to Temuka was opened for traffic on 26th October, 1875. From that time till the commencement of the breakwater in September, 1878, there was no expense entailed for the protection of this foreshore. Prior to the gales that occurred in June, 1879, there was a beach of shingle fuljy 0 feet in depth covering the clay sub-beach ; and the high-water mark was about a chain distant from the foot of the cliff. The whole of this beach was swept away at that time. The serious encroachments about Whale's Creek and northward commenced immediately that beach was carried away, and have continued ever since, excepting where stayed by protective works. In place of the natural shingle-beach, an artificial beach of rubble-stone has been formed. This work was commenced in July, 1879, soon after the natural beach was swept away, and has been continued at intervals, as found to be required. The cost of this breastwork has been, up to the present lime, £2,700. This has protected the shore from the south end of the southern viaduct to the south end of the second viaduct. The encroachment is now proceeding so rapidly in front of the second viaduct, and along the cliff between it and the next gully, that further works have been ordered for the protection of the shore on account of the railway. It is stated that the committee have in evidence that neither the shingle-bank across the Waimataitai nor the Washdyke Lagoons has perceptibly changed. This is derived from the evidence of a witness living close to the spot. It can be readily understood that the gradual change going on is less likely to be perceived by a person seeing the place daily than by one visiting the place occasionally. It will, however, be seen by reference to the cross-sections taken in April and July of this year that the bank at the Waimataitai has very considerably decreased. The loss of material on this beach is at least 20,000 cubic yards in the three months. The accumulation of shingle to the southward of the breakwater is not so great as was anticipated ; but that is attributable to the unusually prolonged period of fine and northerly weather and the absence of large floods in the shingle-rivers. The banking-up, although less than expected, is still increasing so much as to greatly inconvenience the southern landing-service, notwithstanding that it has been removed a considerable distance seaward. At a rough estimate there has been about four acres reclaimed by the accumulation of shingle. In the reports I have made on the encroachments of the sea, I have confined myself to the discharge of my duties in seeing to the protection of the railway placed under my charge. I have nothing to do with the location of it, and doubt not the Government is advised of the reasons which led to the choice of site and the feasibility or otherwise of diverting the line awny from the shore. All these questions raised by the Board do not fall within my instructions to go into ; neither have I a desire to take up a position inimical to the interests of the Timaru Harbour Board: but I think it is better for all parties concerned that the true position of the subject should be recognized and dealt with accordingly. No arguments will stay the steady process of nature which every resident in Timaru can see gradually progressing under his eyes : on the one hand the accumulation of shingle on the south of the breakwater, gradually but inevitably closing over it; and on the other hand the denudation of the shore northward, which can only be checked at very great expense. It seems to me apparent that these two effects are now obtaining a magnitude never approached in former times, the work of years in the past being accomplished in about as many days at present; and that this change is entirely due to the complete stoppage of shingle at the Timaru Breakwater. J. Henry Lowe, Engineer for Constructed Railways, Middle Island. P.S.—Mr. Kirby's evidence on the relative cost of the Lyttelton and Timaru stone appears to be based on some understanding he has obtained of the cost of loading and haulage. How he arrived at such figures he does not state. Mr. Kirby states his price was 9s. per yard; but we have another contract after his at 7s. 6d. per yard. The cost of the Lyttelton stone, quarried, loaded, and hauled to the works, all costs and charges included, was less than the cheapest Timaru stone. As to the relative quality, there is no doubt the Timaru is the better stone for house-building, but it is inferior for the purpose of resisting the actiou of the sea, as any person can see for himself by inspecting the stones as they lie side by side on the beach. Every stone with edges rounded oft" is from Timaru quarries, and those with sharp, defined edges are from Lyttelton. The Timaru stone loses all its edges by wear in three or four weeks ; the Lyttelton shows no sign of wear in as many months. The Lyttelton stone being just now less easily procured than formerly, we are calling for tenders for a farther supply of Timaru stone. Tenders have been called for in such a manner as to allow of competition between the large and small quarries, whether near or remote from the works. A. very full opportunity is therefore given to the Timaru quarry-owners to show whether they are prepared to supply stone of required size at a reasonable price.—J.H.L.

No. 3. The Chairman, Timaru Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Minister of Marine. Sir,— Timaru, 10th June, 1880. In compliance with a letter received from your office, covering a copy of Mr. Blackett's report respecting certain damage to the railway, and stated to have been occasioned by the Timaru Breakwater, and in which letter you desire the Timaru Harbour Board to submit any remarks that they might wish to make thereon to the Government, the Board has the honor to lay before you the following reply from the committee appointed by the Timaru Harbour Board to report thereon :— The committee, having taken the evidence of Captain B. Woollcombe, R.N., Captain Cain, Messrs. H. J. Scaly, P. W. Stubbs, W. Jones, and Samuel Kirby, has to report that, from the personal knowledge of the earlier settlers and residents here, dating as far back as 1857 and 1858, current to the present time, a serious and continuous encroachment of the sea on the coast-line has been going on on many parts of the whole coast from the Waitangi northwards to the Dashing liocks, situated about a

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