D.—l 4

1893. NEW ZEALAND.

LANDS ACQUIRED FOR RAILWAY PURPOSES (PARTICULARS AS TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Bepresentatives dated 23rd September, 1892. Ordered, " That tho Railway Commissioners lay before the House a return showing—(l) The various areas of land which have been acquired for railway purposes; (2) the value of each such area which is not being used for railway purposes ; and (3) whether such areas are let, and the annual revenue which is being received therefrom."— (Mr. Guinness.)

1. The various areas of land which have been acquired for railway purposes. 2. The value of each such area which is not being used for railway purposes.—See copy of correspondence attached. 3. The annual revenue which is being received therefrom.—See returns herewith, compiled from statements presented to Parliament each year since 1882.

CORRESPONDENCE IN RESPECT OP SECTIONS 1 AND 2 OP ORDER OF HOUSE. No. 1. The TJndbb-Seceetaey for Public Woeks to the Bailway Commissionees. Beturn re Areas of Land acquired for Bailway Purposes, with Value of Same, de. Public Works Department, Wellington, The Bailway Commissioners. 30th September, 1892. I am directed by the Minister for Public Works to forward to you herewith copy of an order of the House of Bepresentatives directing that a return be prepared showing the various areas of land acquired for railway purposes, with the value of same, &c, and to request that the Commissioners will be good enough to furnish the Minister with a return in compliance with the order accordingly. H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works.

No. 2. The Chief Commissionee of Bailways to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks. Return of Areas of Land acquired for Bailway Purposes. New Zealand Government Bailways,.Head Office, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Wellington, 2nd November, 1892. To enable a return to be finished in compliance with the order of the House of Bepresentatives, as per extract sent under cover of the Under-Secretary's memorandum of the 30th ultimo, the Commissioners have again the honour to ask that all land-plans and particulars in connection with the acquisition of lands for railway purposes may be handed over to them. James M'cKeeeow, Chief Commissioner.

No. 3. The Undee-Seceetaey for Public Wobks to the Bailway Commissio_tees. Beturu've Areas of Land acquired for Baihvay Purposes, with Value of Same, de. Public Works Department, Wellington, The Bailway Commissioners. 23rd December, 1892. With reference to your memorandum of the 2nd ultimo, requesting that all land-plans, &c, in connection with the acquisition of land for railway purposes might be handed over to the Commissioners in order that the above-mentioned return might be prepared, I have now the honour, by direction of the Minister for Public Works, to state that he is unable to see his way to accede to I—D. 14.