D.—2b.

1883. NEW ZEALAND.

EAST AND WEST COAST RAILWAY (MIDDLE ISLAND). CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING PROPOSED SURVEY, Etc.

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Major Atkinson, by leave of the House.

No. 1. Mr. J. E. Beown, M.H.8., to the Peemieb. Sie,— Wellington, sth July, 1883. I have the honour to forward resolutions passed this day at a meeting of Canterbury and' Westland members, and to request that the Government will, at its earliest convenience, communicate its decision in writing to a deputation of members who will have the honour to wait upon the Government at time and place you may write me. I have, &c, J. Evans Beown, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Chairman.

Enclosure. " That, in the opinion of this Meeting, it is advisable that the Government should proceed without delay with the detailed or working surveys, and estimates of cost of construction, of the lines of railway suggested to connect the East and West Coasts of the Middle Island, via Arthur's Pass, Hurunui Saddle, and the Cannibal Gorge. "That, pending the completion of such surveys, and until the House shall have further considered and determined the question of railway communication between the East and West Coasts of the Middle Island, no portion of the £180,000 allocated to the extension of the main trunk line northward shall be expended, except for the purpose of constructing the railway to the Bed Post. " That Government should bring down a Bill to reserve from sale, and for the purpose of constructing such East and West Coast Bailway, the land upon both sides of the above-named lines of railway for a distance of fifteen miles. " That the construction of a line of railway to connect Canterbury with Marlborough, by the East Coast, is uncalled for, and calculated to prove burdensome to the Colony."

No. 2. The Peemiee to Mr. J. E. Beown, M.H.B. Sie, — Government Buildings, Wellington, 6th July, 1883. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth instant, forwarding resolutions passed at a meeting of the Canterbury and Westland members, and requesting that the Government will, at its earliest convenience, communicate its decision in writing. I have now to inform you, in reply— 1. That the Government are prepared, without delay, to cause such a survey to be made of the Arthur's Pass route as will enable them to place before Parliament at the next Session, a plan showing the route found to be the besl, with an estimate of the cost of its construction, and also a report on the land on each side of the line.