H.—2

XXV

(2.) To the Hon. Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Sib, — Royal Commission in re the New Zealand Midland Railway Company. I am directed to inform you that the above Commission will require information, as detailed below, concerning the New Zealand Midland Railway Company, and to request that you will be prepared to furnish such information when called upon by the Commission to do so, viz. :— (1.) Evidence will be required to prove the condition of the permanent-way, and rolling-stock, and buildings of the lines of railway, (a) Stillwater to Reefton, (ft)'Brunnerton to Jackson's, (c) Belgrove to Norris's Gully, and (d) Springfield to Patterson's Creek, at the date when the said lines of railway were taken possession of by the Governor (25th May, 1895), and at the date when the same beoame legally vested in the Governor (23rd July, 1900). (2.) A return of the gross earnings of the railway, (a) from Springfield to Patterson's Creek, (6) from Stillwater to Reefton, (c) from Brunnerton to Jackson's, and (d) from Belgrove to Motupiko, from the date when the Governor took possession of the same (25th May, 1895) up to the date when the same became legally vested in the Governor (23rd July, 1900); such return to include and show sfparately, and annually, the number of passengers, the number of parcels, the number of horses and dogs, and other coaching traffic; the revenue derived from the above; the number of live-stock, bales of wool, trucks of firewood, superficial feet of timber, tons of grain, tons of general merchandise, tons of minerals, and tons of other gords traffic; the revenue derived from the above; and revenue from miscellaneous traffic and business not included in the above : such return to show what part of such annual gross earnings may fairly be estimated to have arisen from the carriage of goods and passengers in connection with the construction of the said lines of railway, or of portions of railway beyond the limits of the same. (3.) A return of the annual cost of working and maintaining the said lines of railway, (a) from Springfield to Patterson's Creek, (ft) from Stillwater to Reefton, (c) from Brunnerton to Jackson's, and (d) from Belgrove to Motupiko, from the date when the Governor took possession of the same (25th May, 1895) up to the date when the same became legally vested in the Governor (23rd July, 1900) ; such return to specify separately the cost of maintenance of the lines and structures, locomotive running expenses, locomotive repairs, repairs to cars, repairs to wagons, traffic expenses, general charges, and other expenses. (4.) A return showing the value of the lands provided by the Crown, and upon which the said lines of railway are constructed. I am also to state that you are to supply the neoessary information to enable the Commission to deal with clause 21 of the Commission, and to be prepared to be examined upon the point when appearing before the Commission, I have, &c, Abthub Mobeison, Chairman of Commission. (3.) To N. H. M. Dalston, Esq., attorney for the New Zealand Midland Eailway Company, N Wellington. Sib, — Boyal Commission in re the New Zealand Midland Railway Company. I am directed to inform you that the above Commission will require information, as detailed below, concerning the New Zealand Midland Railway Company, and to request that you will be prepared to furnish such information when called upon by the Commission to do so, viz.:—■ (1.) (as.) A return showing the sums actually expended by the said company in constructing the sections of railway, (a) Stillwater to Reefton, (b) Brunnertnn to Jackson's, (c) Belgrove to Norris's Gully, and (d) Springfield to Patterson's Creek; such return to show separately the money expended on land, structures, formation, permanentway, and rolling-stock, but to exclude sums expended for supervision, and in commissions and salaries, and in other incidental matters. (6.) A return of the sums expended by the said company on the sections of railway, (a) Stillwater to Reefton, (b) Brunnerton to Jackson's, (c) B 1 grove to Norris's Gully, and {d) Springfield to Patterson's Creek, for supervision, and in commissions and salaries, and in other incidental matters ; such items to be shown separately. (2.) Evidence will be required to prove the condition of the permanent way, and roll : ng-stock, and buildings of the said lines of railway at the date when the Governor took possession of the same (25th May, 1895). (3.) A return of the gross earnings of the railway, (a) from Springfield to Patterson's Creek, (b) from Stillwater to Reefton, and (c) from Brumerton to Jackson's, up to the date when the Governor took possession of the same (25th May, 1895); suoh return to include and show separately, and annually, the number of passengers, the number of parcels, the number of horses and dogs, and other coaching traffio; the revenue derived from the above; the number of live-stock, bales of wool, trucks of firewood, superficial feet of timber, tons of grain, tons of general merchandise, tons of minerals, and tons of other goods traffic; the revenue derived from the above; and revenue from miscellaneous traffic and business not included in the above : such return to show what part of such annual gross earnings may fairly be estimated to have arisen from the carriage of goods and passengers in connection with the construction of the said lines of railway, or of the portions of the railway beyond the limits of the same. (4.) A return of the annual cost of working and maintaining the said lines of railway, (a) Springfield to Patterson's Creek, (b) Stillwater to Reefton, (c) Brunnerton to Jackson's, and (d) Belgrove to Norris's Gully, up to the date when the Governor took possession of the same; suoh return to specify separately the cost of maintenance of the lines and structures, locomotive running expenses, locomotive repairs, repairs to oara, repairs to wagons, traffio expenses, general charges, and any other expenses. (5.) (a.) A return of the total sum realised by the said company for the sale of lands granted by the Crown to the company pursuant to seotions 7 and 8 of "The Eait and West Coast (Midland Island) and Nelson Railway and Railways Construction Act, 1884 "; such return to specify the number of block, area of block, area sold, and amount realised, (b.) A return showing the present value of lands granted by the Crown to the said company pursuant to sections 7 and 8 of " The East and West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Railway and Railways Construotion Aot, 1884," and at present unsold; suoh return to specify the survey distriots in which the various sections of unsold and are situated, the area of the said sections, and the survey number of the various blocks and unsold sections. (6.) A return of the detailed plans and specifications of all contracts and copies of contracts referred to in the returns asked for in clause (1) hereof. I have, &c, Arthur Mobbison, Chairman of Commission. (4.) To the Registrar-General, Wellington. Sib, — Royal Commission in re the New Zealand Midland Railway Company. I am directed to inform you that it is the intention of the above Commission to call you for the purpose of giving evidence in regard to the population in the districts served by the railways constructed by the New Zealand Midland Railway Company from 1888 up to the present time; and also in regard to the probable increase of population in the said districts during the next twelve years ; and to request that you will be prepared to furnish such information when called upon by the Commission to do so. I have, &c, Arthur Morrison, Chairman of Commission. At 12.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10 a.m. to-morrow, iv—H.32,