1

I.—7A.

APPE GL

REPRINTS OF PARLIAMENTARY AND OTHER PAPERS REFERRED TO IN APPENDIX A.

PEELIMINAEY COREESPONDENCE. Extract from Appendix to the Journals of the House of Bepregentatives, D.-6, 1871, pages 3 to 7 inclusive. Mr. Mokeison to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Office of the New Zealand Government Agency, Sic, — 3, Adelaide Place, King William Street, London, 22nd November, 1870. I have the honour to transmit herewith a proposition from Mr. Brogden, M.P., seeking to be put into the position of mating the surreys for the proposed railways in New Zealand, with the view to furnish the Government with the information as to the sums at which he will be prepared to construct them, or the conditions necessary to establish them as railways held by an independent company. Regarding it important that without delay the matter should be brought under the notice of the Government, I beg to enclose copy of the telegram I forwarded to the Hon. Dr. Featherston at Suez, in order that he might do this immediately on his arrival. I also enclose copy of my letter to Mr. Brogden in reply to his of the 10th instant, requesting more definite information ; and the attention of the Government is invited to his answer of the 20th, enclosing letter from Mr. Brunlees, dated the 18th instant. I am led to expect a communication to the effect that whether Mr. Brogden's proposition be entertained or no, Mr. Brunlees has arranged with Messrs. Sir Charles Fox and Sons (who have already submitted proposals) to co-operate with them on the terms they have submitted to the Government, to which Mr. Brogden refers in his letter of the 20th instant; but, up to the hour of writing, it has not reached me. I hope to forward it by the despatch of this mail, leaving on the 24th instant. Mr. Brunlees is so well known as the Engineer of the Mont Cenis Railway and other important railway undertakings, that it is superfluous on my part to refer to his standing. It therefore only remains for me to enclose the proposals of Mr. Brogden, and to express a hope that, whether or no the Government see fit to enter into negotiations with him, the Government will at any rate secure for the colony the united services oi. Mr. Brunlees and the Messrs. Fox. The Commissioners being well acquainted with the standing and influence of Mr. Brogden, it is unnecessary for me to say anything thereupon. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington. John Moeeison. P.S. —Since writing the above, the expected communication has been received, and copy is herewith enclosed. It confirms Mr. Brogden's statement on the 20th instant as to the co-operation of Mr. Brunlees and the Messrs. Fox. Enclosures. Mr. Beogden, M.P., to Mr. Moeeison. Sic, — 4, Queen Square, Westminster, 10th November, 1870. As you are aware, the war on the Contiuent so alarmed myself and my friends, that, although at that moment the negotiations for the arrangements for the inquiry into, and, if approved, the construction of, the Nelson and Cobden Railway were on the point of completion, yet, under the circumstances, we did not feel that the time was suitable for entering into any new engagements. I perceive now that the Government in New Zealand are proposing to have the railways constructed under guarantees to a certain amount per mile of railway by them. lam not fully informed as to the question whether the railways so constructed are to be the property of the Government, or whether these sums are a contribution pro tanto towards their construction; but the object of my present communication to you is to request you to inform the New Zealand Government that, having gone already fully into the question of the railway communications about to be established in the colony, I should be glad to be put into the position of making the surveys for the lines they determine to have constructed, and upon those surveys to furnish to the Government the information as to the sums at which I will be prepared to construct them, or the conditions necessary to establish them as railways held by an independent company, aided more or less by the amount which the Government are willing to guarantee. If this arrangement is agreeable to the Government, I will instruct Mr. Brimlees, C.E., to send out an efficient staff for this purpose. I remain, &c, J. Morrison, Esq., London. Alex. BBOCfflEir. B—l. 7a.