D.—Bb

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mouth-Hokitika lines. Kindly therefore inform me whether the Government wish these to be included in the same Bill, or, say, the Brunner-deviation and Nelson-grade questions in one Bill, and the .Greymouth-Brunner and Hokitika proposals in a separate one. It is important that the two former matters should not be delayed in consequence of the last. I have, &c, Eobert Wilson, General Manager, Midland Eailway Company (Limited). The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington.

No. 13. The Engineer-in-Chiep to the General Manager, Midland Eailway Company. Sir,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 10th June, 1890. I am directed by the Minister for Public Works to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd ultimo relative to the Bill proposed to be submitted to Parliament, having for its object the sanctioning of the projected deviation ©f the Midland Eailway near Lake Brunner, and asking whether the Government would also wish to have provision made therein authorising alterations in the grades at the Nelson end of the line, as well as power to lease the Greymouth-Brunnerton and Greymouth-Hokitika Eailways to the company. In reply, I am to state that the Hon. Mr. Fergus thinks that the proposed Bill should deal only with the projected deviation of the line near Lake Brunner, as it is not considered that the negotiations in reference to either of the other proposals alluded to in your letter have progressed sufficiently far to warrant the preparation of Bills dealing with them at present. I have, &c., W. N. Blair, Engineer-in-Chief. E. Wilson, Esq., C.E., General Manager, Midland Eailway, Christchurch.

No. 14. The General Manager, Midland Eailway Company, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sir, — Christchurch, 12th June, 1890. I have the honour to enclose herewith a draft Bill authorising deviations from the original line of route which may be approved by His Excellency. In the absence of information as to the wishes of the Government upon the matter, it is drawn in a general way, which would seem to be the best, but which can be amended if necessary. I have, &c, H. Alan Scott, For General Manager, Midland Eailway Company (Limited). The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. [Approximate Cost of Pap _■.—Preparation, £1; priutiug (1,300 copies), £_ ss.]

Authority: Geobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9o.