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No. 7. The Hpn. the Minister for Public Works to the General Manager, Midland Eailway Company. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st March, 1890. Midland" Eailway.—Proposed deviation at Lake Brunner. Cannot reply finally till decided upon by Cabinet. Will bring it up for consideration as soon as possible after return of Premier to Wellington. T. Fergus. E. Wilson, Esq., General Manager, &c, Midland Eailway, Christchurch.

No. 8. The General Manager, Midland Eailway Company, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 10th April, 1890. Have not yet heard decision re Brunner deviation. Am anxious let contract as soon as possible. Hon. T. Fergus, Wellington. Eobert Wilson.

No. 9. The Under-Secretary for Public Works to the General Manager, Midland Eailway Company. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th April, 1890. Be proposed deviation at Lake Brunner. —Your telegram of 10th instant. It has been impossible to transmit this to Minister, as he has been beyond reach of communication. He is, however, expected here to-night or to-morrow. Will lay your telegram before him immediately on his arrival. The question has besn considered by Ministers several times, but, so far as I know, no definite decision arrived at as yet. C. Y. O'Connor. B. Wilson, Esq., General Manager, &c, Midland Eailway, Christchurch.

No. 10. The General Manager and Engineer-in-Chief, Midland Eailway Company, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. (Telegram.) Greyinouth, Ist May, 1890. Lake Brunner deviation. —Plans furnished for six and a half miles; trial line cut about eight. Most satisfactory line obtained, so much superior to old line that I cannot advise directors to proceed with work towards Teremakau unless deviation granted. Trust to receive official consent soon, as I wish to let this new section without delay. Eobert Wilson, Engineer-in-Chief and General Manager. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington.

No. 11. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works to the General Manager, Midland Eailway Company. Sns,— Public Works Office, 20th May, 1890. Eeferring to my letter of the 26th February last, and to subsequent correspondence on the above-mentioned subject, I have the honour to state that, a full report having now been obtained, the question has again been carefully considered, but, in view of the fact that a doubt exists as to whether the Government has the power to sanction deviations of such an extensive character, even though such deviations might have special advantages over the line as originally surveyed, it would seem to be necessary that the matter should be submitted to Parliament. It is suggested, therefore, that your company should get a Bill prepared to authorise alteration of contract to extent required, which the Government will introduce, if approved by Ministers, after being revised and reported upon by the Law Officers. I have, &c, F " T. W. Hislop, (For the Minister for Public Works.) E. Wilson, Esq., C.E., Engineer-in-Chief, &c, Midland Eailway, Christchurch.

No. 12. The General Manager, Midland Eailway Company, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. g IE _ Christchurch, 22nd May, 1890. I have the honour t<s acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant re the proposed deviation at Lake Brunner, and will have a Bill prepared. Before doing so, however, I should mention that the Hon. Mr. Fergus suggested that this matter should be dealt with at the same time as the question of a slight alteration in grades at the Nelson end, and the company's proposals re lease- of the Greymouth-Brunnerton and Grey-