D.-*No' Co.

Messrs. Blackett, Brat, Taxcbed & Millae, to the Hon. W Gisbobne. Sib,— Christchurcb, 21st February, 1371. Having been instructed by the General Government to determine what point on "the Waitaki was most suitable for the erection of a bridge, for a railway from Christchureh to Dunedin, which bridge might be used for ordinary traffic as well as for the railway. We met on 1st January, at the Waitaki, and proceeded to examine the river in the vicinity of the proposed railway, and to decide what sections of the river would be requisite for our guidance, when we could meet with Mr. Blackett to consider the several lines, and determine on the best. The general character of the Waitaki is the same as most of the rivers on the East Coast, frequently varying its channel over a wide shingle bed, the whole of which is liable to be flooded in high freshes, though the width occupied by these flood waters in the vicinity of the sea is less than higher up. As far as we have been able to ascertain, the river is free from large drift timber, the passage of which has not to be provided for in constructing the bridge. The several sites which we have found it necessary to consider more particularly are a,s follows: — 1st. At 9f miles from the sea, at the outcrop of a thin bed of stone, opposite Mr. Buckley's. 2nd. At 6£ miles from the sea, at Brown's ferry, where the coach road now crosses. 3rd. At 2| miles from the sea at the Telegraph line. The bridge at the upper site, section No. 1, would be 4,276 feet long, and estimating it at £10 per lineal foot would cost £42,760. This site requires the railway to make a detour which lengthens the line 5y miles at an expense, say of £28,750, exclusive of land purchase. The bridge at Brown's ferry, section No. 2, would be 0,930 feet long, costing at £'10 per lineal foot, £09,300. The railway on this line would not be lengthened, but land would have to be purchased in Otago. The bridge near the telegraph line, section No. 3, would be 3630 feet long, costing at £10 per lineal foot, £36,300. The railway would be most direct on this line, and owing to the reserves made in both Provinces, no land would require to be purchased. The site at the telegraph line is therefore, estimated at £33,000 less than the bridge at Brown's ferry, and £35,210 less than the bridge and extra length of railway at the upper site, or £6,4G0 less than the bridge alone at that site. We therefore recommend the telegraph line, as the most direct and economical for a railway bridge for the Christchurch and Dunedin Kailway. By adopting short spans of say 33 feet, and a narrow roadway of about 18 feet for the railway, but available for ordinary traffic, except at train times, the cost of the bridge may be brought within the sum allotted to the work, viz., £35,000. But as there can be no doubt that it would be better to adopt larger spans and separate platforms for the railway and ordinary traffic, fenced off from each other, which form of construction would be more costly and would probably exceed the allotted sum, unless the most recent improvements in iron bridge building be adopted. We arc of opinion that it would be wise to obtain in England plans and tenders for the construction and erection of such a bridge, adapted to light railway traffic, designed in the cheapest and plainest form, compatible with the necessary strength, as by such proceeding we may obtain the improved construction, possibly even within the allotted sum. We therefore recommend that accurate plans and sections of the site for the proposed bridge be forwarded to England, with description of the nature of the ground, for the purpose of obtaining designs and tenders for such work. We have, Ac, John Blacketx. W. B. Beat. T. S. Tancbed. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works. J. Millae.

No. 11. The Hon. W. Fox to Superintendents of Canterbtjby and Otago. Colonial Secretary's Office, g IE Wellington, 30th March, 1871. I transmit herewith for your Honor's information the accompanying copy of Eeport by Messrs. Blackett, Bray, Tancred and Millar on the Waitaki Bridge, and also a tracing relating to the same. I have, &c, William Fox, His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. In the absence of Mr. Gisborne. Note.—A similar letter -was forwarded, with Enclosures, to His Honor the Superintendent oi Otago. __________________—_

WAITAKI BRIDGE.