D.—No. 10.

No. 1. Mr. Blackett to Mr. O'Connoe. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11th February, 1872. Proceed at once to inspect damage by flood at Greymouth, and report what can be done to provide against further damage, the protective works to be part of future Bailway works for which expenditure General Government will be responsible. Also advise local authorities a3 to best immediate action in the emergency on their part. Eeport also what other protective works will be required irrespective of Bailway. JoHif Blackett.

--—_____________ __ No. 2. Mr. O'CoinroE to Mr. Blackett. (Telegram.) Greymouth, 13th February, 1872 Re Grey Wharf.—The works necessary to protect town are as follows : — Ist. 5 chains stone facing, £500 ; 2nd. 6 chains wharf, £2700 ; 3rd. 20 chains stone faciug with clay backing, £5500 ; 4th. Eaising and reforming 20 chains street, £l 500; sth. Strengthening and scrubbing 11 chains wharf, £1000 ; total £11,200. Of these items, 1 and 3, £6000 will be a necessary part of Bailway line as its commencement, and item 5 would be required if the exportation became considerable. I have advised Borough Council to commence item 1 and 2 at once, they could be finished in about six weeks, and sufficiently for protection in about a fortnight. Item 3 will take several months, but should be begun at once. Also the Borough Council Engineer, Mr. Johnston, being at Eeefton, they wish me to take the works in hand for them. Will you instruct me on this point. Will send full report of damage done and works proposed by first mail. I think the cause of this flood having been so high, was a large deposit of shingle just above lower gorge. It is working its way through and down river. C. Y. O'Coottob.

No. 3. Prom Mr. O'Coimtoe to Mr. Blackett. Sib, — Survey Office, Greymouth, 15th February, 1872. I have the honor to forward herewith a report written by Mr. Browne, the District Surveyor, for your information, relative to the nature of the late flood, and a map of part of Greymouth in explanation of it and the following remarks on damage done. Also tracings of the works proposed between Breakwater and Tainui streets, and between Boundary and Johnston streets. The breakwater near Maori Cemetery, which was recently erected by the Corporation, gave way at an early stage of the flood, the river having undermined the stonework, which was simply laid on the surface, and a strong current set down the Quay and into the Tidal Creek through all the cross streets. About three chains of timber facings downward from breakwater were carried away, and the whole work to Tainui street, which consists of a single row of piles sheeted with 3" planking, was greatly shaken. This work has been in existence three years, and it is now evident that it, and the roadway along it, are at least 3 feet too low for high floods. Prom Tamui to Boundary streets, the wharf consists of a double row of piles 15 feet apart decked over, and has recently been repaired and strengthened by new face piles at intervals of about 10 feet. The decking of this work stands 3 feet over lever of caps of facing above described. It was only slightly shaken, but the bank behind it was somewhat scoured. Prom Boundary street to Johnston street where protection work ended, the facing consisted of a single row of piles sheeted with 3" planking and held by land ties; its cap was at the same height as upper face work, viz,, 3 feet too low. This facing was also five years old, without recent repairs, and was carried away completely leaving the bank from Boundary street to Arney street exposed to the full action of the river. The roadway was cut across to N.E. corner of Johnston street, and along half the block of houses between Johnston and Arney streets was undermined. In the following description of works proposed, the Nos. given in telegram of 13th instant are adhered to, but here they are described consecutively from E. to N., not in the order of their importance as there given.

PAPERS RELATING- TO THE GREYMOUTH PROTECTIVE W ORixb.