D.—2

8

other is an entirely new line, as far as my own experience goes. It starts a few miles south of the Red Post, at a point known as the Culverden Post Box ; from there crossing St. Leonard's Run to the centre of Mount Palm, and by a tunnel through Mount Palm on to the north-east corner of the Cheviot Hills Run ; thence across the Waiau and on to the Parnassus Run by way of Hawkeswood and Fernyburst, joining Mr. Dobson's East Coast line on Mr. Robert Tinline's property. 52. Did you make an exploration or a survey of the line ?—lt was merely an exploration. But this is a route which I think it would be well, if it were possible, for the Commissioners to look at on their journey. It is worth the time it would occupy, because to my mind it has so many advantages. It uses the whole of the constructed line as sanctioned by the Government. Tou might start at the Red Post, but it would be more convenient to begin a few miles further south, because you get an easier grade. Prom the commencement to the end of this route it is a falling grade the whole way. 53. "Were you employed officially ?—I was employed professionally by the Kaikoura Railway Committee. 54. Have you any plans ?—No; it was not a survey, it was an exploration. I can point out the route to you on the plan. [Plan produced and explained to the Commission.] 55. "Will you supply the Commission with a sketch of the route spoken of ?—I shall do so ; I shall state at the same time what I consider the advantages this route possesses over the other suggested routes, and afford you as much information as I can regarding it. 56. Is there any Crown land available for disposal in the district through which your line goes ?—The Crown land that is available is not very extensive and not of very great value. 57. There is a very small quantity of it ?—A very small quantity. 58. Then the whole of the country would be in the hands of private individuals ?—Tes. 59. The general character of the land is good ?—Tes, between certain points. The character of the land, where ploughable, is all corn-growing land. 60. Can you give the Commissioners any idea of the population of the district ?—lt is very sparsely populated, and merely in connection with the runs. [Mr. Huddleston subsequently furnished the Commission with the following preliminary report on suggested route for connecting the Amuri District with the East Coast by railway:— To the Hon. Dr. Pollen, M.L.C., President of the Middle Island Railway Commission. Sib,— Christchurch, 23rd November, 1882. I have the honour to bring to your notice, and that of the Commission, an alternative route lately discovered by myself for extending the Great Northern Railway to the East Coast, and at the same time utilizing the whole of the present constructed and sanctioned line to within a few miles of the Red Post on the Culverden Run, Amuri, thus affording means for opening up the principal blocks of agricultural land suitable for settlement in that part of the Nelson and Marlborough Provincial Districts. The place at which I suggest diverging from the present northern railway route is known as the Culverden Post Box, situate only a few miles south of the Red Post, from whence, in a north-easterly direction, an even and almost level grass plain extends to the Waiau River, having the Township of Rotherham and the Isolated Hill Run on the north and the St. Leonard's Station on the south and west. Following this valley for some six miles, a hill known as Mount Palm is reached, forming the north-east end of the Lowry Peaks on the St. Leonard's Run, passing under which by means of a tunnel —probable length 120 chains —another similarly level plain extends to the western side of the Cheviot Hills Run, a point from which a large block of agricultural land could readily be made available for settlement, and a very important inland railway-station and township established. From thence the line would cross the Waiau River on to the Parnassus Run, where another considerable plain, east and north of the station, is to be found; crossing this and following the western boundary of the Hawkswood Run, by way of the Leader, a stream having very low and even banks, much more good land is made available, and the Conway reached without materially increasing the grade, and at a point opposite the Fernyhurst Station, where a junction with Mr. Dobson's proposed line from Waipara to Cheviot could be readily effected. The special advantages of the route described in this preliminary report for the extension of the railway north consist in directness, easy grades, cheap construction, and no greater engineering difficulties than driving a short tunnel through free-working rock and providing a combined railway and road bridge at a very important point (prospectively) on the Waiau River, where a desirable site exists. A road-station at the Culverden Post Box and a second-class railway-station about half-way to Mount Palm would bring the "Waiau Township, with its adjacent blocks of agricultural land, within twelve miles of the railway, and the St. Leonard's Run, now in several distinct holdings, would be served by the same railway-stations; also the Township of Rotherham and the Isolated Run, an estate well suited for subdivision into farms. Another railway-station would be formed on the Cheviot Run, which eventually would develop into a leading position on the line, forming a nucleus for extending settlement. The further extension of the line over the Conway to Fernyhurst offers no greater difficulty than a long bridge at a moderately high level to join Mr. Dobson's surveyed line by the Kahutara River and the ocean. In the event of Mr. Dobson's route north proving too expensive, I doubt not, judging by my own local knowledge of the country, that another and cheaper line could be found by exploring the valleys, terraces, and passes between the Conway and its tributaries and the Kahutara Hills. The accompanying sketch-map, though on a small scale, will I hope assist the Commissioners better to follow the written description. I have, &c, H. B. Huddleston, C.E.]

The Commission, met again at half-past two o'clock. Mr. John Tiniine, examined. 61. The Chairman.'] You have, I understand, taken some interest in the establishment of railway communication from Canterbury northwards ?—I have.