I.—B

16

APPENDIX.

The Undee-Seceetaey, Public Works, to the Chaieman, Midland Eailway Committee. Public Works Department, Wellington, 7th August, 1894. Sic, — Midland Railway : Estimated Cost of Completion. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of Ist instant, asking for a statement to be prepared showing what it would cost the Government to complete all the uncompleted portions of the Midland Eailway Company's lines of railway, and in reply am directed by the Minister for Public Works to forward to you the accompanying statement by the Engineer-in-Chief, showing the cost of completion to be as under, viz. :— £ Prom a point 5 miles 55 chains from Springfield to Jackson's ... 973,000 From Eeefton to end of Belgrove Section ... ... ... 995,000 £1,968,000 I have, &c, H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works. The Chairman, Midland Eailway Committee, House of Eepresentatives.

Memobandum for Hon. Ministee for Public Wobks. Public Works Department, Wellington, August 7th, 1894. .Midland liailway: Estimated Cost of Completing all the TJncomplated Portions of the Company's Lines of Baihvay. According to figures previously given in official documents, and taking the Midland Eailway Company's estimate for the Abt or Pell Incline line, with switch-back eliminated, the estimate for the completion of the Midland Eailway would be as under: — & From a point 5 miles 55 chains from Springfield to Jackson's, 32 miles 15 chains ; from Stillwater, a length of about 57 miles 44 chains ... ... ... ... ... ... 973,000 From Eeefton to end of Belgrove Section, a length of about 96 miles 48 chains ... ... ... ... ... ... 995,000 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... £1,968,000 W. H. Hales, Engineer-in-Chief.

The Seceetaey, New Zealand Eailways, to the Chaieman, Midland Eailway Committee. New Zealand Government Eailways, Sic,— Head Office, Wellington, 14th August, 1894. With reference to your letter of Bth instant, respecting the Midland Eailway Company's proposals for woj king, &c, I am directed to state that, as the Eailway Commissioners do not see any prospect at present of the traffic on the Belgrove to Motueka Section paying the cost of working and maintaining the line, they cannot recommend the proposal of taking over the working of the line, or of paying the Midland Company 40 per cent, of the gross receipts from that section. I have, &c, The Chairman, Midland Eailway Committee, E. G. Pilcheb, House of Eepresentatives. Secretary.

The Undeb-Secbetaey, Public Works, to the Chaieman, Midland Eailway Committee. Public Works Department, Wellington, N.Z., 21st August, 1894. Sib, — Ec Midland Raihoay : Proposals for a New Contract. I have the honour, by direction of the Minister for Public Works, to forward herewith for your consideration a copy of a letter recently received from the General Manager of the Midland Eailway, relative to the above-mentioned subject. I have, &c, The Chairman, Midland Eailway Committee, H. J. H. Blow, House of Eepresentatives. Under-Secretary for Public Works.

The Engineee-in-Chief, Midland Eailway, to the Hon. the Premier. Wellington Club, Wellington, 20th August, 1894. Sic, — Midland Railway : Proposals for New Contract. I have seen from a newspaper report that the Select Committee have resolved they are satisfied that the company cannot raise the capital necessary to complete the several railway-works