D.--No. 6.

18

PAPERS KELATING TO THE

entertaining the proposals you have made dn the subject of the construction of the New Zealand railways, and that it will be unnecessary, therefore, to trouble you with the documents to which you refer. I have, &c, Johx Knowles, Captain Audley Coote, Hobart Town. Under Secretary.

lII.—BY A VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION, MELBOURNE. No. 23. The Hon. W. Gisbobne to the Hon. Dr. Featheeston. Sib,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 17th April, 1871. I have the honor to forward a copy of a letter addressed to this Department from an association in Melbourne, containing proposals relative to a system of cheap railways, and of the reply which has been returned. A railway upon a somewhat similar construction has recently been opened for traffic from the Park House Hematite Ore Mines to the Furness Railway, in North Lancashire, and I have to request you will be good enough to ascertain and report the results of its working. I have, &c. The Hon. Dr. Featherston, Agent-General, W. Gisbobne. 3, Adelaide Place, London.

Enclosure 1 in No. 23. Mr. Dyee to the Hon. W. Gisbobne. Sie, — Hall of Commerce, Melbourne, 28th February, 1871. I have the houor most respectfully to submit to you the proposal of an association lately formed in this city for the purpose of constructing railways on a more economical principle than has hitherto been achieved in the Australian Colonies; and I beg leave to request for the same your favourable consideration. W. A. Zeal, Esq., C.E., formerly Constructing Engineer of the Melbourne and Murray River Railway, from Melbourne to Sandhurst, and D. Macquarie, Esq., railway contractor, Wingen, N.S.W., will act as the responsible agents of the Association. The Association, after the most minute examination and careful consideration, are of opinion that amongst the various systems of cheap railways proposed from time to time, none will be found to answer the requirements of the traffic in the interior of Australia so efficiently and so satisfactorily as the system lately perfected by J. B. Fell, Esq., the celebrated Engineer of the Mont Cenis Railway, and in accordance with which system two important lines, one in North Lancashire, England, and the other in Switzerland, were taken into construction as soon as the great advantages of the principle were discerned in those localities. The chief deviation of this principle from the ordinary system consists iii the elevation of the permanent way from three to four feet above the surface of the ground, supported by piles of timber firmly fixed, and of adequate strength. The permanent way itself is formed by a continuous beam of timber placed upon the piles, and of a size sufficient to carry two lines of rails eighteen inches apart on the surface, and one line of guide rails on each side of its two sides, twelve inches below the upper surface, distances which not only correspond with but also yield the full carrying power and safety of a gauge of 3 feet 6 inches on ordinary railways. Accidents will be rendered almost impossible with trains carrying 100 tons, exclusive of the weight of engines and carriages, and a speed of twenty miles per hour will be obtained with ease. The Association is desirous of entering into negotiations with your Government for the construction of such railways, upon terms to be agreed upon; these terms may consist of either payments in cash, a contribution of land, or a guarantee of certain interest on the part of your Government. As a proof of the bond fide character of their proposal, the Association hereby offer to construct at their own expense, risk, and responsibility, in auy locality they may be directed to, a section of railway three or four miles in length, in order that the superior qualifications and capacities of their system may be fully tested before its adoption ; and they engage not to prefer any claim whatsoever for payment for such construction in case their system is found ineffective, or wanting in other respects. But, on the other hand, should their system be adopted by your Government for the construction of longer lines, they reasonably expect to be intrusted with the construction of such lines as contractors. The Association is prepared to guarantee that the average cost of a first-class line after their system, including rails but excluding rolling stock, shall not exceed the sum of £2,500 per mile ; and further, they are willing to give such other security as may be demanded from them for the due fulfilment of any contract they may enter into. They are prepared to lay before you, as early as you may command, their plans and estimates, confident that, after your inspection of the same, their system will meet with approval at your hands. The Association most respectfully awaits the honor of your favourable reply. They will with pleasure impart any further information or explanation that may be deemed desirable; and in case their offer should be entertained, they will without delay either despatch an agent to Wellington, or appoint a resident there to act for them in that capacity. I have, &c, Joseph Dyeb, The Hon. the Minister of Public Works, Wellington. Acting Secretary.