D.—No. Ob.

CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAYS.

49

No. 57. Mr. Blackett to His Honor W. Rolleston. Sib,— Public Works Office, Christchurch, 28th February, 1871. I have the honor to inform you that the Hon. the Minister for Works has confirmed my approval of the adoption of the same style of rail for the Northern Line as far as Rangiora. The order for the portions yet required to complete the line to that point may therefore be despatched by the next English Mail. I have, &c, Jonx Blackett, His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. Acting Engineer-in-Chief.

No. 58. His Honor W. Rolleston to the Hon. W. Giseokne. Sir,— Superintendent's Office, Christchurch, Ist March, 1871. At the interview which, on the occasion of your recent visit to Christchurch, I had with yourself, the Hon. Mr. Bell, and Mr. Blaekett, on the subject of the prosecution of surveys and of the railways authorized to be constructed during the last Session of the General Assembly, it was understood that on the approval of Mr. Blackett of orders for rails and other material for the Northern Railway, as authorized by " The Railways Act, 1870," the Minister for Public Works would give his approval of such orders, so as to bring the expenditure within the terms of my letter of 24th December, as to the refund by the General Government to the Province of the funds provided by it. I have now the honor to forward copies of orders for rails, ironwork, for waggons, and tarpaulins, which will be required for the Northern Railway, of which Mr. Blackett has given his approval, and to which I shall instruct our Agent by the outgoing mail to give effect. I enclose copy of a letter I have received from Mr. Blackett on this subject. Should the Colonial Government be in funds in London at the time that payment on account of this order falls due, the transaction would bo simplified if the Agent-General would provide the funds, and thus obviate the cost incurred by our Agent having to draw upon the Province to meet the payment. It was further understood that on the approval of Mr. Blackett as to the character of the order, the Provincial Government might instruct its Agent in London to obtain rails for the Southern Railway, as authorized by " The Railways Act, 1870," subject to his learning from the Colonial Treasurer or the Agent-General of the Colony that the Government was in funds to make the payments for the rails, and that the Government would undertake that on its being in funds it would make provision for the execution in London of this order, as approved in the Colony. I regret that I am unable to forward this order by the outgoing mail, as the question of the form of rail on the Southern Line will require further consideration by the Engineer of the Colonial Government. The former order, however —that for the rails for the Northern Railway—will be carried out by our Agent; and the Provincial Government will find the funds in London, unless the Colonial Government would provide them, should they be able to do so. I shall be glad if you will inform Mr. A Togel of the arrangement which has been made, in order that, if possible, the expense of drawing upon the Province may be saved. I have, &c, W. Rolleston, The Hon. the Minister of Public Works, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 59. His Honor W. Rolleston to the Hon. F. D. Bell. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Christchurch, Ist March, 1871. As Mr. Gisborne is absent, will you look at my letter of to-day to the Minister for Public Works. You heard what passed the other day at our interview with Mr. Gisborne, and will understand what is wanted. It is briefly this : — Mr. Ottywell will be instructed by to-morrow's mail to order the remaining quantity of rails necessary for the Northern Line, as far as it is now authorized. Twelve miles of rails are already ordered, and some shipped. The present order is for the balance necessary to complete the line to Rangiora. lie will draw on us for payment unless the General Government will find payment in London. If they will, of course it will make a saving. We shall order them, as the previous lot, under Homans' inspection. Will you see that there is no hitch about this ? The only question now open about this order is the provision of funds in London. The order for the Southern Line cannot be sent by this mail, as Mr. Blackett is in doubt about the form of rail, that on the Southern Line being the flat-footed rail. I enclose a copy of notes of what passed at our interview. They should, I think, be recorded. I have, &c, The Hon. F. D. Bell. W. Rolleston. 10