The Colonial Secretary, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Nelson.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 119, 22 May 1871, Page 2

The Colonial Secretary, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Nelson.

Sir — The Government have considered your letter of the 26th October ultimo, in. which you request to be informed if the Government will be prepared to recommend the raising of a Loan of Sixty thousand pounds for the purpose of providing for the following objects : — Construction of a Railway from the Brunner Coalmine, Grey River, to the Port of Cobden .... £30,000 Construction of Gasworks in the City of Nelson . . 15,000 Extension of Waterworks in the City of Nelson . . . 15,000 With regard to the construction of Gas. works and Waterworks, however desirous i For remainder oj news see fourth page.

the Govern ment may be to proirfote these, objects, it would be incon^fent with the general policy adopted, as/j?egards works of that nature, to allow m£_e| to be borrowed for their constructio_Ton taje security of the Public Revenuey* \ The objects are, in theiri nature, purely municipal, and provision jjshould be made for them either by privatl enterprise, or municipal rates, or money borrowed, on the credit thereof. The Government will readily assist the Provincial Government, or the Municipality of Nelson, in obtaining the assent of the General Assembly to au Act or Acts authorising a loan to be raised for the purposes referred to,"npon the credit of municipal or local rates, but not on the security of the Public Revenue. As regards the Loan of Thirty-thousand pounds proposed to be raised for the construction of a Railway from the Brunner Coalfields to the Port of Cobden, the Government regard the object as one of general Colonial interest, and which they will gladly promote. If, however, it is proposed to raise the required funds upon the security of tbe Public Revenue, the Government are of opinion that the works should be placed within the category of Public Works, to be executed under the authority of, and in the manner provided by, the' Public Works and" Immigration Act of last Session. Should this plan meet the views of the Provincial Govenment of Nelson, the Government will very gladly lend them aid towards giving effect to it by obtaining the sanction of the General Assembly. I have, &c., W. Gisborne, Colonial Secretary. January 10, 18*71.