D.—2b.

2. The Government will also cause a like survey, with a like object, to be made for a line along a route to be determined on to connect Northern Canterbury with the West Coast. 3. In the meantime, the land for fifteen miles on each side of both lines will be reserved, so as to be available to be dealt with by Parliament in a future Session; but gold-mining will not in the meantime be interfered with. 4. The Government have no intention of asking during the present Session for any further appropriation than already appears on the Estimates out of the £180,000 (that being sufficient to carry the main trunk line to the Bed Post), so that the remaining portion of the £180,000 shall be intact until dealt with by Parliament in a future Session. 5. The Government are not prepared at present to express any opinion on the subject of the last resolution, in reference to the Canterbury and Marlborough line. I have, &c, J. Evans Brown, Esq., M.H.B. Feed. Whitakeb.

No. 3. Mr. J. E. Beown, M.H.B. to the Peemiee. Sie,— Wellington, 26th July, 1883. I have the honour to intimate to you that at a meeting this day, of Canterbury and Westland members, it was unanimously agreed to recommend the Government to have surveyed before next Session of Parliament the railway route from North Canterbury to West Coast, known as the Hurunui route, from Horseley Downs to Brunnerton. I have, &c, J. Evans Beown, Hon. F. Whitaker, Premier. Chairman.

No. 4. The Peemiee to Mr. J. E. Beown, M.H.B. -Sie, — Government Offices, Wellington, 27th July, 1883. In reply to your letter of yesterday's date, with reference to the Bailway between the East and West Coasts of the Southern Island, I have the honour to inform you that the Government accept the recommendation of the Canterbury and Westland Members, as conveyed by your letter; and will cause the Line suggested to be surveyed before the next Session of Parliament. I have, &c, J. Evans Brown, Esq., M.H.8., Chairman, &c. Feed. Whitakeb.

By Authority: Geobge Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB3.

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