D—No. 6a

PAPERS RELATING TO THE

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No. 20. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Sie, — General Government Offices, Auckland, 9th January, 1871. In compliance with the instructions conveyed to me in your letter No. 54, of date 3rd January instant. I have requested Mr. Jackson to inform the petitioners against the extension of the Onehunga Eailway to the Bluff, that the resolution of the Auckland Provincial Council recommending that extension had been rescinded. I have, &c, Daniel Pollen, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent, General Government.

No. 21. Mr. Weigg to Mr. Blackett. Sie, — Auckland, Bth February, 1871. It was not my intention to have communicated with you on the subject of that portion of the line extending from Auckland to Newmarket, until such time as the whole of tho alternate lines were fully completed, but the result of my examinations are so very important that I deem it proper to give you this interim report. The tracing which I enclose will point out the result of my second trials through the domain. As far as this trial line goes, there is no doubt but that we can avoid the tunnel, the great slip, and the very heavy embankment in Mechanics Bay. I have no doubt in my own mind (though I have not as yet minutely calculated), that we shall save from £16,000 to £20,000 by this diversion. I have so arranged the work, as you will perceive, that its chief cost will be centred on the Stanley Street viaduct. The diversion will be somewhat more expensive than the average on this account; but the immense importance of bringing the line into the centre of the trade of the city, without further serious cost for land, will justify the cost of this viaduct: of this, however, I will say more in my next report. The amount of cutting I propose on the Parnell Eoad will be quite safe. If you recollect the place, it is a ridge having rapid drainage right and left, so that no slips may be expected here; while its depth will enable me to carry the present road with its level unaltered, by a lattice or other approved form of timber bridge, without the use of much if any masonry. With regard to the question of damage to the domain, this ought not to be a source of uneasiness, for, as I pointed out to you when here, the line can be made to beautify it, at the expense of £300 or £400, of this I am quite sure. My peculiar position prevents me from freely seeing what terms could be made with the Domain Board, as I am not an officer of the Government, but as far as I have felt myself justified to act, I have done so, and I am glad to say that I have from the Provincial authorities the assurance that they will reserve the Grammar School lands at A to such an extent as I may require. I have the same assurance from the City Board regarding their land at B, so that you see I have not been unmindful of doing that which I thought might be approved by you, though this forms no part of my agreement with you. His Honor the Superintendeut has shown to me the greatest desire to facilitate the work as much as possible, and purposes to place in my hands the deed referring to the free gift of land on the line, which has been signed by a number of landowners. But under the present order of things, this deed will have to take another form, I think (as I read it). At all events, without special instructions, I could not act with effect in procuring consents to the free use of land for the purposes of the railway, being, as it were, without authority, but I think I could make the matter generally right if authorized to do so. If you think further on the matter, I would suggest that I see Dr. Pollen regarding the present deed, and consult with him as to the form a new deed should take, as the land question is of much consequence, in my judgment, to settle as quickly as possible. The land questions will be continually cropping up aud should be dealt with as they arise. As an instance, there is no eligible site available for a station at Otahuhu for want of an approach ; but if I could act, I have no doubt but that I could get a grant of five acres, and an approach to it, on conditions as to the mode of laying out the approach that on investigation might be found not objectionable. But I cannot act with effect. I have, &c, John Blackett, Esq., Acting Engineer-in-Chief, Heney Weigg, C.E. Wellington.

No. 22. Mr. Blackett to the Hon. W. Gisboene. 22nd February, 1871. The above is the first of a series of ad interim reports I requested Mr. AVrigg to make as his survey progressed, although they do not form part of his contract work. My wish was to keep the Government fully informed on the progress of the survey,and more especially as to that part of it now reported on, it being the part where our great difficulty lies, and which I was extremely anxious to avoid altogether, if possible. Mr. AVrigg's report shows that it is more than probable that we can surmount this difficulty, and avoid entirely the tunnel and slips, which caused the abandonment of the former works on this railway, as well as obviating the necessity of an enormous embankment in Mechanics Bay. Before leaving Auckland I began to perceive that it would have been desirable to have gken Mr. AVrigg authority, say under the approval of Dr. Pollen, to negotiate with