I.—B,

18

The Undee-Seceetaey, Public Wobks to the Engineeb-in-Chief, Midland Eailway. Ec Midland Bailway : Proposals for a New Contract. Sib, — Public Works Department, Wellington, 29th August, 1894. I have the honour, by direction of the Premier, to forward herewith for your information a copy of the report of the New Zealand Midland Eailway Committee, laid on the table of the House this afternoon, and to request that you will be good enough to state whether you agree tothe last paragraph thereof as to the time for the completion of the railway between Patterson's. Creek and Jackson's. I have, &c, H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works. Eobert Wilson, Esq., Wellington Club, Wellington.

The Geneeal Manages, Midland Bailway Company, to the Hon. the Pbemiee. Midland Bailway : Proposals for a New Contract. Sir,— Wellington Club, Wellington, N.Z., 4th September, 1894. Beferring to my letter of the 29th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that I havejust received a cablegram from my directors stating that they accept the terms set out in the report of the Select Committee and enclosed in your letter of the 29th ultimo, but consider that the company should receive in Government 3J-per-cent. debentures half the cost of the extension into the Motueka Valley, and have left this question to my discretion. In the meantime I have the honour to refer you to my letter dated 20th July last (clause B), and would ask you to be good enough to provide for this in the new contract. Beferring to clause C of the same letter, I herewith enclose schedule of the proposed maximum rates and fares, to be attached to the new contract.* I have, &c, Eobebt Wilson, The Hon. the Premier. Engineer-in-Chief and General Manager.

The Engineeb-in-Chief, Midland Eailway, to the Hon. the Peemiee. Midland Bailway : Proposals for a Neio Contract. Sic,— Wellington Club, Wellington, sth September, 1894. I have the honour to inform you that I have received a cablegram from my directors,, asking me to let them know at once by cable when the company will, be in possession of the draft contract, and when the Bill is to be brought before the House. I shall be much obliged if you will, at your earliest convenience, be good enough to place me= in a position enabling me to send an answer to my directors. I have, &c, Eobeet Wilson, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Engineer-in-Chief and General Manager.

The Engineeb-in-Chief, Midland Bailway, to the Hon. the Peemibe. Midland Bailway: Proposals for a New Contract. Sic,— Wellington Club, Wellington, 10th September, 1894. Eeferring to my letter of the 4th instant, I have the honour to inform you that the New Zealand Midland Bailway Company (Limited) accept the terms of the report of the Select Committee, enclosed in your letter of the 29th ultimo, as a basis of the new contract. ,„] I shall be glad, however, if you will be good enough to make provision in the new contract for clauses (b) and (c) in your letter of the 18th July last, of which no mention is made in the report. I have, &c, The New Zealand Midland Bailwat Company. Bobebt Wilson, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Engineer-in-Chief and General Manager.

The Undee-Secbetaby, Public Woeks to the Engineeb-in-Chief, Midland Eailway. Midland Bailway: Proposals for a New Contract. Sib,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 10th September, 1894. I am directed by the Hon. the Premier to acknowledge the receipt of your letters~of 4th and sth instant on the above subject, and, in reply, to state that the Government is unableto proceed with the preparation of the proposed new contract, or the Bill to authorise the same, until you have, on behalf of your company, definitely accepted the proposals of the Midland Eailway Committee.

* Schedule of rates printed in D.-3a, 1894.