E.—2

1876. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORT ON THE ACCIDENT TO THE GREY GORGE SUSPENSION BRIDGE.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works to the Commissioners of Audit. (No. 3130.) Public Works Office, Gentlemen, — Wellington, Bth August, 1876. The Government, being desirous to have a very strict and exhaustive inquiry into the cause of the accident which recently occurred to the Suspension Bridge over the Gorge of the River Grey, will be much obliged if you will undertake such an inquiry. The Engineer-in-Chief has been informed that this request has been made to you, and he will place such information as you may require from the Public Works Department at your disposal; and you will be good enough to take such other evidence as you may consider necessary to enable you to arrive at a thoroughly exhaustive conclusion. As the question has already been before the House of Representatives, and the Government have promised it further information, I have to request that you will hold the inquiry at as early a date as may be convenient. The services of a shorthand writer will, if possible to be procured, be placed at your disposal. I have, &c, J. E. FitzGerald, Esq., C.M.G., Edward Richardson. Dr. Knight, Commissioners of Audit, Wellington.

No. 2. To the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sir,— Audit Office, 9th September, 1876. In reference to the inquiry, which you did us the honor to request that we would make into the cause of the recent accident to the Suspension Bridge over the Grey River at Brunnerton, we beg to submit the following report: — The bridge which is the subject of this inquiry was erected over the Grey River at the Brunner Gorge, for the purpose of enabling coal trucks to be brought from the coal mine on the north side to the railway on the south side of the river. It was not designed to bear a locomotive engine; and it was not contemplated that more than 10 tons would ordinarily be placed on it at once, although calculated to bear a much heavier strain. I—E. 2.