D.—2.

3

45. Then I suppose you argue in this way: that by putting one hundred people on the land instead of one you do benefit the colony in the extra taxation they can bear, and so forth ? —The extra taxation and the extra production. I think you may take the Cheviot Hills as a very good example. Mr. Eobinson keeps about 60,000 sheep on 96,000 acres. At least 30,000 acres of that land might be in farms. 46. And supporting how many men, women, and children to the acre ? —Perhaps three or four individuals to the acre. I think you would get a very large population on this land. 47. Then, considering the tendency of economical laws, you hold that a railway through good land will always be valuable to the colony ? —Always. 48. Independent of whether it is Government land or not ?—Tes; I think that is a leading principle. It is quite a question how far such a line should be made by the Government, and how far by private companies.

The Commission met again at 3 o'clock. They received a deputation from the Eailway League of Christchurch, consisting of the following gentlemen: Messrs. Euddenklau (Mayor), T. S. Weston, M.H.E., E. Eichardson, W. Chrystall, C. E. Button, D. Eeese, A. G. Howland, Thomas Pavitt, John Inglis, and T. B. Craig (secretary). Mr. Eichardson introduced his "Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, who then introduced the members of the Committee selected by the West Coast Eailway League, who formed the deputation. Mr. 'Richardson : I may state that I have been asked to act, to a certain extent, as spokesman on this occasion, and I have been requested to ask you, Mr. Chairman and Commissioners, whether the terms of your Commission will allow of your examining the various routes that have been surveyed and reported upon from time to time between this part of the Island and the West Coast. The Chairman : The terms of the Commission—which no doubt the members of the deputation have seen—confine us to a report upon the several main trunk lines leaving Canterbury and going northward. Any West Coast line properly so called would scarcely come within the terms of our Commission. The terms of the Commission are very distinct in that respect. It says that we are to " inquire into the probable cost and economical value of the several lines proposed for the extension of the main trunk line through the Middle Island northward from Canterbury; and also to inquire whether any other line would be less costly and more advantageous to the colony." That means any other line going northward. Mr. Richardson: Of course the Commission will understand that there are various interests represented in this room, and some of those interested are particularly anxious that the Commission should consider it a part of their duty to take into consideration some at all events of those routes which have been so far called West Coast routes, but still, at the same time, might be considered of such importance that they would be called trunk lines without absolutely, in the first instance, going direct north. I need hardly mention any of the routes, but I think the Commission will follow me in regard to the nearest possible way that the communication can be got between this side of the Island and the two main centres of population on the other side. If that can be brought in as part of the trunk line—if it can be considered by you to form a portion of the trunk line —the deputation would be only too glad that you should examine and report upon it. The Chairman : That is a matter which may fairly come within the scope of the Commission. Mr. Richardson: The deputation understand that the Commission have been placed in possession of the reports that have been so far made by the various Government officials since the initiation of the Public Works scheme. Amongst them will be found reports upon two or three routes at all events. One of them was referred to particularly by Mr. Macandrew in his Public Works Statement of 1878 as being a line which it would be very desirable to make as a part of the trunk line. That line was the line through from Amberley to Brunnerton, part of which has already been constructed. I think, from your answer just now to the deputation, you may perhaps be able to take that line into your consideration and report upon it. Of course the League that has been formed here have viewed with considerable alarm the proposed intention of the Government to construct a railway along the east coast of this Island direct north ; and one object of this League has been to convince the members of the Government, and now to endeavour to convince you —or to request you to pay particular attention to their views in the hope that you may agree with them—that it is absolutely inadvisable to make such railway. I think I am safe in stating that they also consider that what is known as the part inland and part coast route has also the same objection. The deputation are led to believe that the route the Commission have already examined—that is, the route coming down direct from Tophouse through the centre, if I may call it so, of the northern part of this Island —is also objectionable for many reasons. I think what we now wish to ask you is : whether, in the course of your duties, you will take into consideration, and critically examine and report upon, the route which was proposed in 1873 and 1874. I think from your position, Mr. Chairman, you will remember that at an earlier date than that it was proposed that the trunk line northwards should go somewhere through the hills and join the line adopted by Parliament, so as to connect Nelson with Greymouth and Hokitika. That the deputation consider must come within the scope of your Commission without doubt. Prom any information in the papers we have seen here we are not aware that your special attention has been called to that route, and the deputation are particularly anxious that, before reporting on this question, you should have at all events all the information. I believe lam right in stating that there is ample information to enable you to form a conclusion as between the various routes without requiring detailed observations, except it be a verification of the statements that have been made as to the natural resources of that part of the country by Government geologists or whoever you may deem necessary to consult on the matter. I think the Commission will see that there are two points there : one is, that one large interest which is represented here to-day is particularly anxious that the trunk line should be made as far as it is possible to accommodate the interests on the West Coast; and the other is, that in whatever direction this line may go, it should be taken where it will be of the greatest advantage—in terms of your Commission—commercially and otherwise, to the interests of the colony at large. I think that is about all I was requested to say here to-day. As you have already stated that any line which can be shown to