H.—22.

No. 73. Mr. K. Johnson, Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington, to the Chairman of the Local Industries Commission. Sih,— Wellington, 7th June, 1880. Referring to my letter to you of the 26th April last, I have now the honor to forward herewith copy of a letter with plans, giving the distance from high-water mark at which 20 feet of water can be obtained near the Parapara Eiver and Timatie Point, Golden Bay. I have, &c, E. Johnson, Secretary.

Mr. W. Williams to the Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. Sib,— Collingwood, 29th May, 1880. I have carefully taken soundings as you requested me. I cannot find 20 feet of water at low water, spring tides, on either side of the Parapara in less than about 800 yards from high-water mark, ordinary tides, until I come to the point at Tuhurua (see pencil-mark on plan). At that spot it is 518 yards or thereabouts from high-water mark, ordinary tides, to 20 feet of water, low water, spring tides. I have also sounded off Timatie, and the only place that 20 feet of water can be obtained in any distance less than half a mile from high-water mark, ordinary tides, to 20 feet of water, spring tides, is opposite sections 9 and 10 {see pencil-mark on plan). At that spot the distance is 820 yards or thereabouts from high-water mark, ordinary tides, to 20 feet of water, low water, spring tides. 1 have, &c, W. Williams.

No. 74. Evidence of Mr. James Foote before Messrs. Commissioners Tinne and Burns, at Auckland, 3rd May, 1880. My name is James Foote. I have been in Auckland since 1866. I have had serious losses through the Native disturbances in this Island. I put in a claim for £1,000 compensation, but it was not granted; but the then Government, of which Sir Donald McLean was a member, promised to help me in any way possible. I then purchased 1,750 acres of land in the lower Waikato. The bulk of this land contains a 52-feet seam of coal. Mr. Cox and Mr. Denniston, of the Geological Department, visited my mine, and reported that I should require a canal cut, 27 chains long, 15 feet wide, and 3 feet deep, in order to give me an outlet for my coal and iron to the river ; but the Government or the Parliament would not grant me any assistance. I Lave cut this canal and put down a line of rails and a lot of fencing, at a cost of £350. I then put on five men and several barges, and cleared the river of an obstruction of 256 piles that had been put in by the Maoris. This work cost me £100. After I had done this I applied to Sir George Grey for assistance. He gave me £40, which, I supposed, came out of his own pocket. After this I put <i dam across the river for the purpose of raising the water of the river to give a higher level in my canal. This cost me £103 10s. I applied for a siding at the Mercer Railway-station, but was informed they had only £20 available for this work; therefore I had to spend £20 before I got the siding finished. 1 now require a double line of tramway, about a mile long, to connect the mine with deep water of the river; I have repeatedly applied to Government to construct this for me, but as yet I have been unable to get any reply. I was informed by an officer of the Government that some £4,000 was voted by the House for the purpose of assisting local efforts. The great bulk of this money had been sent down among enterprising men in the South. There was some £400 still left, and he would see that I got some assistance out of that amount; but, to this day, I have not had a farthing except the £40 from Sir George Grey. Dr. Hector promised to assist me, at the same time requesting a box of mineral specimens to be sent to him. 1 sent the specimens, but as yet have had no assistance. Whilst this line of tramway would very materially benefit my mine, it would also benefit every settler in this district, as they have no access of any sort at present to get to market. It would also open up over 5,000 acres of splendid land, belonging to the Crown, for settlement—perhaps as good land as is in the Auckland District. Tbjre is a large quantity of iron ore and limestone in this district that is completely shut out from working for the want of roads or railways being constructed. Jambs Foote.

No. 75. Mr. George Peeey to D. H. McKenzie, Esq. Sir,— Auckland, 24th February, 1880. In compliance with your request, I yesterday visited Mr. Foote's mine at Miranda, and beg leave to submit the following report concerning the said mine for your consideration:— 1. The mine is located on the side of a flat plain at the side of a hill, and distant about a quarter of a mile from the river. A small tramway at present connects the mine with the river. The shaft is down about 60 feet, and I believe the seam is 52 feet in thickness: at least, Mr. J?oote told me so, and, judging from appearance, I should think his statement was correct. Of course I cannot speak as to the quality, but in reference to quantity I have only to state that I have never seen any coal-, seam which could compare with it. I would suggest that, in the event of a company being formed for the purpose of working the mine, a permanent tramway should be constructed in ;place of the insufficient tramway at present used by Mr. Foote. I have been informed that the coal does not coke well; but I believe it will improve in that respect as it is worked down upon. 2. In reference to iron ores, the following exist upon the property, namely: Hematite with clay bands attached, Blue Flats iron ore, Gubbins-stone ore, and diamond-stone ore. The hematite is of a very hard nature and is from 8 to 10 inches in thickness, and appears likely to be very abundaut; this ore is principally used for Bessemer steel, and also for puddling purposes. Blue Flats ore appears

69