D.—2

VI

Monday, sth Eebrtjaey, 1883. The Commissioners met pursuant to the adjournment of the last meeting. Present: All the members. On further consideration of the report, and in reference to the subject of a deflection of the line from Hanmer Plains towards Maruia, the following resolution was moved by the Chairman: That, seeing that the Colonial Government may be said to be committed to the extension of the central railway line northwards from Waikari to the Red Post, and that the line from Greymouth to Reefton is an authorized line, and that both these sections will in due time be completed,—in view also of the urgent demand now being made for a West Coast line, —a deflection of the central line from Hanmer Plains to the Maruia Valley, and thence to the Tophouse and Picton, might constitute a main line northwards from Canterbury which, while meeting the immediate wants of the West Coast, would, in the end, be found to be "less costly, and more advantageous to the colony," than either the central or the East Coast lines by the routes respectively herebefore proposed. After some discussion the Commission divided, and the motion was negatived. Aye, 1: Hon. Dr. Pollen. Noes, 2 : Mr. Fulton, Mr. Thomson. The Commissioners then adjourned.

Wednesday, 7th Febkttaby, 1883. The Commissioners met at 10 a.m. Present: All the members. The report was completed and signed, and the Chairman was directed to transmit the same, with the minutes of proceedings, the minutes of evidence, &c, to His Excellency the Governor. This concluded the Commission.

INDEX TO WITNESSES, ETC.

PAGE. Atkinson, Mr. William... ... ... ... 18 Back, Mr. Frederick, Traffic Manager, Christchureh Railways ... ... ... ... 14 Blackett, Mr. John Greorge, Resident Engineer of Nelson and Marlborough District ... ... 44 Blenheim Railway Route Committee, Statement ... 27 Brough, Mr. Jonathan ... ... ... ... 40 Browning, Mr. John S., Chief Surveyor of Nelson Provincial District ... ... ... 54 Bullen, Mr. ... ... ... ... ... 20 Button, Mr. C. E. ... ... ... ... 4, 6 Christchureh Railway League, Statement ... ... 12 Chrystall, Mr. W. ... ... ... ... 7, 12 Clark, Mr. Henry J., Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor ... ... ... 21 Crombie, Mr. Charles M., Deputy-Commissioner, Pro-perty-Tax Department ... ... ... 69 Curtis, Mr. Oswald ... ... ... 53 Davidson, Captain ... ... ... ... 20 Disher, Mr. Robert ... ... ... ... 30 Dobson, Mr. Alfred, Surveyor ... ... ... 25 Dobson, Mr. Edward, C.E. ... ... ... 1 Elliott, Mr. Charles ... ... ... ... 21 Fairchild, Captain John ... ... ... 68 Fell, Mr. C. Y. ... ... ... ...30,54 Fowler, Mr. Nathaniel... ... ... ... 36 Greenfield, Mr. Alfred ... ... ... ... 52 Henderson, Mr. G-eorge ... ... 20, 27, 29 Hewitt, Mr. Vincent ... ... ... ... 23 Howlanrl, Mr. A. G-. ... ... ... ... 6 Huddleston, Mr. Henry Bogie, C.E. ... 7, 8

PASS. Inglis, Mr. ... ... ... ... 19 Inglis, Mt. John ... . ... ... ... 6, 16 Johnson, Captain Robert ... ... ... 66 Kerr, Mr. John ... ... ...39,44 Macalister, Mr. Sutherland, Inspector of Telegraphs 25 McGregor, Mr. Donald... ... ... ... 40 McKenzie, Mr. John ... ... ... ... 24 Murphy, Mr. John ... ... ... ... 23 Nelson Committee, Statement ... ... ... 54 O'Connor, Mr. Charles T., Inspecting Engineer, Middle Island ... ... ... ... 18 Passeau, Mr. ... ... ... ... ... 20 Pavitt, Mr. Thomas ... ... ... ... 5 Pilkington, Mr. Henry Percival ... ... ... 44 Reese, Mr. D. ... ... 4, 5, 7 Richardson, Mr. E. ... ... 3, 7, 12, 14 Richmond, Mr. J. C., C.E. ... ... ... 41 Roehfort, Mr. John, C.E. ... 44, 47, 51 Ruddenklau, Mr., Mayor of Christchureh 3, 4, 5 Seymour, Mr. A. P. ... ... ... ... 26 Tinline, Mr. John ... ... ... 8 Travers, Mr. W. T. L. ... ... ... 37 Ward, Mr. Joseph ... ... ... 26 Weston, Mr. T. S., M.H.R. ... ... 4,5,6,7,12 White, Mr. William ... ... ... ... 31 Wiesenhayern, Mr. Adolph ... ... ... 32.