CONSTRUCTION OE RAILWAYS.

27

D.— No. 6a

It is presumed that a geological section of the basin of the Upper Manawatu from east to west would show that gravel and shingle will be found west of the Alanawatu, and limestone on the east of it. This will influence you in deciding between lines 1 and 2, as to which will bo the most permanent road when formed, taking into account also the value of the land passed through, as well as the facility of construction. Mr. J. T. Stewart has instructions to proceed with the exploration and formation of the road on the west side of the main range and through the Gorge, and to confer with you as to the best means of getting through the latter, in which it is particularly desirable that a low level line should be obtained, if not at too great a cost, which may answer for the dray road in the first instance, and afterwards be used wholly or in part for a railway. You will have due notice when and where to meet Mr. Stewart. The suggestion made in reference to this road, that it should be laid oft* on the future lino of railway, is practicable only to a certain, and probably only to a small extent: and the expense of making the dray road must not be augmented needlessly by making the lines conform, where it can be carried on easy ground and with sharper curves and gradients than would be allowed on the line of railway. I propose that we should have gradients on the road not exceeding lin 13. It will, however, be advisable to make the exploration answer the double purpose of fixing the exact position of the dray road, and the probable future liue of railway. You will please to report from time to time on your progress in this exploration, illustrating your report by rough sketches, when necessary, for explanation. Your final report will contain recommendation of the best line for adoption, with a full statement of the character and particular merits of each ; and before any work is commenced—that is, beyond the exploration —further instructions will be sent to you. I have, &c, John Blackett, Charles Weber, Esq., Napier. Acting Engineer-in-Chief.

No. 58. His Honor J. D. Oemond to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Sib, — AValliugford, Hawke's Bay, 2nd January, 1871. I have the honor to enclose, under separate cover, Air Weber's report to the Engineer-in-Chief on the line from Euataniwha to the Manawatu Gorge. A perusal of that report will, I think, satisfy you that the line described as No. 1 is the only practicable line, and I shall hope to get an early authority from you to cause the road works upon that line to be proceeded with. Air. AVeber describes the line to me as really good. The height at tho Takapau, where the road enters the bush, is about 900 feet above the sea level, and from there to the Alanawatu Gorge, a distance of about thirty-five miles, the fall is about 600 feet; Alessrs. Weber and Stewart fixing the height at the upper entrance of the Manawatu Gorge at 300 feet. I mention this to show that tho natural facilities for either road or railroad of this line are extremely good. The principal difficulties found by Air Weber in exploring the line arose from the gulches running from the Ruahino to the Alanawatu Eiver. These chasms were so great anywhere near the Alanawatu Eiver that the line is forced up to near the base of the Euahine Eanges. On the line fixed upon there are five of these large gulches to cross, each from 115 to 130 feet deep, and from 4 to 5 chains wide at the top. AVith the exception of these difficulties, the whole line is easy and good, and most of the road work would be available for railway, should such be hereafter determined upon. [Note. —The remainder of this letter is printed in " Papers Relating to the Construction of Eoads."] I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public AVorks, Wellington. J. D. Obmond.

Enclosure in No. 58. Air. Weber to Air. Blackett. Sir,— Napier, 29th December, 1870. In compliance with your instructions, No. 49, of the 11th ultimo, I have explored the three lines indicated for road and railway from AVaipukurau (point A on your tracing) to the Alanawatu Gorge, viz., No. 1, between the Euahine and the Alanawatu; No. 2, between the Alanawatu and the Puketoi Eange ; No. 3, east of the northern portion of the Puketoi Bailee, crossing the range at a point convenient for joining the line proposed to come through the gorge of the Alanawatu. The last line, after crossing the Tukituki near AVaipukurau, would have to follow generally the present line of road between Hatuma and Ngatoro Lakes to the Ngahape Stream, and follow up the rather narrow valley of that stream to its source, offering very trifling difficulties so far ; but thence it would have either to cross the broken timbered northern spurs of the Puketoi in a westerly direction to the Alanawatu, or the line would have to turn south, crossing a series of short spurs to the southern portion of E. Collins's run, and thence over the main shoot of the Puketoi to the open country at Alangatora, whence a leading valley can be obtained to the Alanawatu at Otawhao. The only two breaks in this range, viz., that of the Alangatoro and of the Alangapoaka, are so tortuous and so precipitous that the crossing of the range is unavoidable ; and the face of the range, although it could be crossed at about 000 feet above the head of the Ngahape, is so broken on both sides, the limestone being laid bare in many places by gullies, that the cost for road or railroad would be without question too high.