IX— ft.

1885. NEW ZEALAND.

KAIHU VALLEY RAILWAY GUARANTEE (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In Continuation of D.-5c, 1885.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

J. E. Fulton, Esq., to the Hon. the Minister for Public Woeks. Sir, — Palmerston North, 22nd August, 1885. I have lately read papers (D.-sc), enclosed, that have been laid upon the table of the House re the Kaihu Valley Hail way. On this subject I wish to make the following remarks, and hope you will have time and patience to read them. I will be as brief as possible :— In June, 1882, I was employed by Mr. J. M. Dargaville to examine the Kaihu Valley, and make an estimate of the cost of constructing a railway there. At that time, in making up my estimate, I asked for £70,000, but Mr. Dargaville distinctly Stated to me that he had only £60,000 available, and asked whether the railway could not be made for that money. Now, Sir, as you are aware, railways can be made costing from £2,000 per mile to £20,000 pel mile. After conferring with Mr. Dargavillo I compiled a schedule (which is printed in paper D.-50, presented this session), showing how a very fair railway could be made for the £60,000: £59,320 were my exact figures. The railway for most of the distance would traverse flat and easy country ; for several mile3 six inches of formation might suffice. Take 18£ miles of 2£ft. bank—142,376 cubic yards at Is. 6a. ... ... £10,678 One mile through the Gorge, Mr. Knorpp's estimate without quantities, No. Bin D.-5o 7,000 Bridges and culverts ... ... ... ... ... •■. 4,700 £22,378 During excessive floods slack water might rise over line in places, but only for a few hours, and, for a line of this sort, would be of little consequence. Again, for the Wellington-Manawatu Eailway we have grading and bridges of a similar character done for about £800 per mile. Take 18^-miles at £800 ... ... ... ... ... ... £14,800 One mile through Gorge, Mr. Knorpp (as above) ... ... ... 7,000 £21,700 I estimated formerly, as per schedule above referred to, — Grading ... ... ... ... ... ... ... £16,125 Bridges and culverts... ... ... ... ... ... 4,700 £20,825 I have made the above comparative estimates of grading, bridges, and culverts, as of the othax items in my original schedule, definite quantities, for estimate may be obtained. As soon as arrangements with the Government were completed the directors of the Kaihu Valley Eailway got their engineer, Mr. H. M. Williams, to provide the following liberal estimate. (The details of this were not printed with the other papers, D.-5c.) They are as follow : —