B.—No. 3.

PROVINCE OF SOUTHLAND. No. 1. THE SUPERINTENDENT, SOUTHLAND, TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. Superintendent's Office, Southland, 6th March 1863,. Sir,— I have the honour to enclose authenticated copies, in duplicate of four Bills, named on the margin, which hav6 been passed by the Provincial Council of Southland in the fourth session. They form a group, having reference to the same object. In my communication of 4th February it was stated that the Provincial Government proposed to ask the sanction of the Provincial Council to construct a Tramway from this place northwards towards Whakatipu, and to borrow £120,000 for that specific objeot. After some discussion, however, in the Provincial Council, the bills for those purposes were withdrawn, and it was resolved to authorise a large expenditure (£20,000) from the Provincial Revenues on the North Roads, and rely on them for the maintenance of the Whakatipu traffic throughout the winter and spring, In the same communication I stated that it was anticipated that £100,000 would be sufficient for the Bluff Railway, but the survey was incomplete at the time, and when the quantities were calculated it appeared that a Railway of the most substantial character could be constructed between the nearest points of the town of Campbelltown and Invercargill for £105,000. This sum would leave no great margin for contingencies, and would not provide for the extension of the line at both ends, through Campbelltown to the Jetty, and through Invercargill to the vacant space in the middle of the Town, on its west side. Neither of those last-named works could be proceeded with until authorised by an Act of the General Assembly ; but they will become necessary. The first mentioned will be indispensable—when the the Railway draws towards completion. The Council, when passing the Railway Bill—which it has done unanimously —considered some other Supplementary Works, such as a Jetty, Station, and Warehouses at the Mokomoko anchorage in the New River, and some other works, to be essential to the completion of the whole design. These works will involve an additional outlay of from £15,000 to £20,000, and consequently the sum which the Legislature of Southland has finally agreed to borrow, for the specific objects of the Railway and Jetty works connected therewith, amounts to £140,000. I trust that the statistical information and the reports which are forwarded to you, by this mail, will satisfy your Government that the proposed expenditure will be both prudent and well directed, and that a Loan of £140,000 will in no way press injuriously on the finances of the Province. The Provincial Government entertains no doubt that the Revenue yielded by the line will, within a short time after its completion, be amply sufficient to meet the annual charges for extinguishing the debt. The " Diversion of Roads Bill" is required to enable the Provincial Government to alter the road for a short distance when it crosses a part of the property of one individual—who has made no objection to the diversion. I have to request that you will bring these Bills under -the consideration of His Excellency the Governor, when I trust they will receive his assent. I have, &c, J. A. R. Menzies, Superintendent. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

No. 2. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, SOUTHLAND. New Plymouth, 10th April, 1863. g IR I have the honor to inform you that the four Ordinances of the Provincial Council of Southland, named in the margin, having been-laid before the Governor, His Excellency has been pleased to assent to the same. I have, &c, Alfred Domett. His Honor the Superintendent, Southland.

1. Bluff and Invereargill Railway Bill. 2. Debentures Bill. 3. Diversion of Roads Bill. 4. Appropriation Bill.

(No.197.) 1. The Bluff and Invercargill Railway Ordinance. 2. The Debentures Or. dinance. 3. The Diversion of Roads Ordinance. 4. The Appropriation Ordinance.

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PROVINCIAL LOANS.