D.—4

110

J. A. WILSON,

14. Can you tell the Commission the total number of degrees of curvature on this route I— 184 degrees on the average per mile on the western route, and 154 degrees on the eastern route. There is a mile and a half more of straight on the western route than on the eastern, but as some of (he curves are sharper, the total curvature is greater. 15. As regards the western route, in your evidence you say that there is 16 ft. of headway at the high-water-level crossing at the Wairoa River?—l said the water was 16 ft. deep there. and I said that depth was sufficient for navigation purposes for vessels up to a certain tonnage. Hi I notice that the plan allows for from 30 ft. to 35 ft. from high-water level to the grade line: is it necessary to have it us high as that?—l do not think so us fur us floods are concerned, but it is a suitable height. 16a. 'Ihere was a suggestion that the eastern route should be shortened at the north end by a tunnel somewhere near Houto: would not such a proposal, if carried om. result in shortening the western route also? —No ; it would have no effect on the western route. 17. Does not the line come in at the same point?—lt runs into the western route. 18. And the matter does not affect the comparison between the two?—lt shortens the eastern route. 19. Would it not shorten the western as well us the eastern between the points of junction? —No, it does not affect the western route. 20. I think it .shows so on the plan [plans referred to] J —Perhaps the western route would be shortened from the point of junction; but even if this is done the eastern route is still the shortest. 21. I will put it another way: what is the distance between MoCarroll'a Gap and the present point of junction near Parakao by the eastern and the western routes?—l had better read the figures. 22. You can see the distances on the plan!— The distance is not correctly stated on that plan, because the figures have had to be-varied. In connection with one route the traverses have been straightened, 11 chains have been taken off on the western route, and 14 chains have been taken off on the eastern route on account of straightening the line. 23. Can you give me approximately the distance?— Yes, very closely. The total length of the eastern route is 136 miles 56 chains 32 links; of the western route, 136 miles 16 chains 38 links. 24. What will be the approximate length of the two routes limn McCarioll's Gap to the point of junction, supposing the eastern route is diverted near Houto ;it the north end?—At the eastern route it would be 132 miles: on the western route I think about 132J or 132| miles (Auckland mileage). 25. So that the eastern route would then be shortened by 4 miles 52 chums. and the western route by a little under four miles?— That is about right. 26. It works out that the western route will be shortened almost as much by the tunnel near Houto as the eastern route? —Yes. 27. As to the eastern route, the ruling grade is 1 in 50? — Yes. 28. And there are 60 chains of it going south? —Yes. 29. Going north the ruling grade is 1 in 51 1 —Yes. 30. And there is a grade of 78 chains in length?— Yes. 31. I note that there are nearly 4J miles of grade 1 in 60 and steeper going north, and of 4 miles 26 chains of 1 in 60 and steeper going south: is that correct? —I will put in a paper showing a list of the steeper grades. [List put in : Exhibit No. 2.] 32. The highest level reached on the eastern route is 380 ft., as against 285 ft. on the western 1 —Yes. 33. As to the curvature on the eastern route, I see there are no curves on that route? —No. 34. The minimum curve is 9 chains? —Yes. 35. I make out that there are eleven of those, totalling a length of two miles?— Probably that is correct. 36. On the eastern route you say that at 114 and 115 miles the ground would be liable to slips: are there any means of avoiding that mile and a half of slippy country?— Only by increasing the length of line considerably. A deviation has been surveyed which I would not be prepared to recommend, because it would increase the length of line at this point. 37. Have you any idea of what the additional length would be? —Something over a mile. Is it fair to argue that both routes are of practically the same length?—l think that is a fair assumption. 39. And that it might be possible to shorten either of them/ That is correct. 40. At present the estimated cost is slightly in favour of the western route?— Slightly. The tunnelling and bridging is heavier on the eastern route, but the formation and culverts are heaviest on the western. The sum total is slightly in favour of the latter. 41. Can you say which route lies through the best country, having regard generally to aspect and the subsequent maintenance of the line? —I think the reduction of the bridging is a factor in favour of taking the western route, as there would be less bridging to maintain. 42. I am speaking now partly as to the climatic conditions of the different routes. Has one route preference over the other having regard to climatic conditions and aspect to the sun? —The sun aspect is slightly in favour of the eastern route, and that route would also have the lust of it as regards the climatic conditions. 43. Can voi: tell the Commission why you have provided for one station more on the western side than on the eastern? —Stations were fixed at suitable points on the grading, and wherever