The Hon. Colonial Secretary to his Honor the Superintendent of Nelson.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 41, 15 February 1873, Page 2

The Hon. Colonial Secretary to his Honor the Superintendent of Nelson.

Sir — / • I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter of the 14th ultimo, on the subject of the Brunner Railway in which, for reasons stated by you, you propose that onehalf only of the estimated cost of this line, viz., tweuty-seven thousand two hundred pounds (£27,200) should be secured upon the block of laud on the north side of tho River Grey to be reserved as a coalfield. Your Honor's proposition has received the careful consideration of the Government, and without admitting the statement that it is substantially the same as that arranged between Mr. Yogel and yourself, I beg to state that the Govern ment has determined to accede to your proposal. As this removes the only remaining difficulty in the way of the conclusion of the agreement, the draft-of which has already been submitted to you, it will now be engrossed without delay, and forwarded for your Honor's signature. There are some portions of your Honor's letter, now under reply, from which the Government feels bund to dissent, but as these points of differences are not of sufficient importance to prevent the conclusion of an agreement with your Honor, the Government is unwilling now to prolong tho discussion of them. 3n conclusion I beg to state that the Government has received with much satisfaction your Honor's assurance of your desire to promote the development of this important coalfbdd, and they feel sure they may rely upon your hearty co-operation in the prosecution of an undertaking of so much importance both to the district immediately and to the colony at large. I have, &c, G. M. Waterhouse. Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, February 10, 1873.