I am very vexed at Instructions that have been given Weber about the line through the Bush - upsetting all I had been authorised to do - and displaying as I think lamentable ignorance of the country - such as I cannot conceive in a practical man after a casual enquiry - However I am very little astonished and feel certain the Public Works Department will go on making messes until you get a practical Minister at the head of it - Gisborne is an admirable Colonial Secretary but as little competent for the Public Works as any one you could have found - I find from letters from southern men that this is the general opinion - and also there is considerable dissatisfaction that Govt. have not sent for able Engineers from America and England - There was a distinct pledge to the House that that wd. be done and it will be well to act upon it - However what I am vexed at is, that Weber is instructed to explore Lines that are impracticable - One on the east side of Puketoi range - the other between Manawatu river and Puketoi - the first is simply ridiculous - the country to the east of Puketoi is as broken as any country in N.Zealand