L—6.

Stratford-Waikato Route. Lands purchased under Public Works Acts and gazetted Waste Lands of the Crown.

Incomplete Transactions.—Land still under Purchase. Taungarakau Block ... £70,000 acres; advanced to date, £2,028.

Mr. J. Blackett, Engineer-in-Chief, examined. 61. The Chairman."] Can you tell us, Mr. Blackett, what steps the Government have taken in connection with the proposed North Island Trunk Railway?— The Government have made explorations of three lines—one from Hastings, near Napier, by Taupo, to Te Awamutu ; one from Marton northward, west of Taupo, to the same place, Te Awamutu; one from Stratford, by a line by way of the Upper Mokau, to the same place, Te Awamutu. We have got the results of these surveys, which are now almost in a position to be laid before the Committee, both as regards plans and reports. 62. That, practically, is all that has been done so far by your department ?—I may state that there is an estimate appended to each report; and I might also explain that what we call the central route has not only been explored, but surveyed and levelled from end to end—not, however, as a contract. 63. Is all that plotted on paper?— Yes; that is all plotted on paper, in detailed sheets. 64. And you can submit them to the Committee?—l can submit a general plan; also the detailed plans. 65. What has been done on the other lines—on the Stratford line, for instance ?—I will first finish the description of the central line. The southern part of the central route we have explored, and taken an aneroid survey of an alternative line, starting from Feilding by the Oroua Eiver. The survey by the western route may be described as an aneroid survey. 66. With regard to the central line, you say you have taken an aneroid survey. Is that plotted ?—Yes. 67. And you will be able to give the details of that to this Committee?— Yes. 68. Is that all that has been done by your department in connection with the central line?— No. Besides the plans you have before you already, I have another plan just received from Mr. Rochfort, which I can produce. 69. Will you tell us what plans you have got here.? —Yes. (1) Sketch map of the North Island, showing three routes in green; (2) Mr. Rochfort's survey, general plan, but showing also eastern, western, and central routes (P.W.D. 12069); (3) Mr. Williams's survey, general plan (P.W.D. 11468) ; (4) Messrs. Holmes and Carkeek's survey (P.W.D. 11483). 70. I understand the surveys and sections are taken pretty accurately on the central route— Rochfort's lino ?—The second survey by Mr. Rochforb is an absolute survey by theodolite and level. 71. The yellow line on this map [referring to map] is Carkeek and Holmes's line. How has that been taken ? —Aneroid. 72. Only aneroid; not with the instruments?— Only aneroid; but cross-sections of the hill-sides were taken. The Stratford line is one that cannot well be varied. An examination of the pian would show that the course of this line is practically determined by the different valleys. 73. What is your object in stating that ? —No particular object, except that it will account for the peculiar direction that the line takes, and also that you are more confident as to directions on that line than you are on the central line. 74. Have you been over the routes of either of these two lines yourself?—l have not. 75. Have you any-personal knowledge of the nature of the country through which the route passes? —No; except at the ends. I have not been through. I have given all directions as to the various surveys. 76. With regard'to the Mokau line, what is the position of that; has any further survey been taken there ? —The consideration of that line has been abandoned as one not being suitable to the wants of the country. 77. Abandoned from an engineering point of view, or what?—No; for other reasons. It is a coast-line, and does not answer the purpose of a trunk railway through the Island.

5

Name of Block. Area. Total Cost of Land. 591 594 595 596-7 598 602 603 592 593 Mangaotuku Whitinui ... Mangamingi Kaharoa Nos. 1 and 2 Pukekino ... Kaitangiwhenua Eaoraomouku Mangaere ... Mangaehu ... Acres. 38,860 2,080 8,200 16,050 11,860 91,630 8,697 6,250 560 £ s. 8,712 10 287 2 1,024 7 1,764 10 1,561 0 12,491 0 2,949 18 783 6 107 1 d. 9 6 0 9 0 8 6 8 0 Total 184,187 29,680 17 10