1.—6

2

6. In the event of Government expending the above sum of £50,000 in the construction of a tide-wall, the two companies hereinbefore referred to are prepared to give an adequate guarantee that they shall pay Government 6d. per ton royalty upon not less than 300,000 tons a year —a sum equivalent to meet the interest on £150,000 at 5 per cent., while the gross revenue derived from haulage on said output would be £37,500 a year, an amount which would go far to recoup the colony in respect of the large outlay which has been incurred in the construction of the Westport and Ngakawau Eailway. 7. It is difficult to estimate the extent to which New Zealand coal would find its way into the markets of the world were ships of large tonnage enabled to load at Westport. Your Committee would venture strongly to urge that action should be at once taken towards this end, or, at all events, to effect such partial improvement on the bar as shall secure the results indicated in the preceding paragraph. Jno. Munro, Chairman.