E.—l

In conclusion, I beg to make the following recommendations : — 1. That, beyond the completion of the Greymouth-Hokitika railway, and a section from Brunnerton to Nelson Creek, no railway works be undertaken on the West Coast for the present. 2. That iite idea of the East and West Coast railway be abandoned in favour of the Greymouth Harbour; said harbour to be made available for small vessels with the least possible delay, and afterwards adapted for large colliers as required. 3. That, beyond completing the line through the Weka Pass to the Waikari Valley, no part of the main trunk line be undertaken for the present. 4. That, in lieu of railways, the main trunk roads be made or completed from Blenheim to Amberley, Tophouse to Hanmer Plains, Hampden to Ahaura via the Maruia Plains, and along such leading valleys in Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland as may be necessary for opening up the country. 5. That surveys be made of the main trunk line from Amberley to Picton; and that the survey now in hand of the Hue from Nelson to the Buller Valley be finished. Trusting that this report will be of some service to the Government in arriving at a conclusion with reference to the railways in the northern districts of the Middle Island, I have, &c, W. N. Blair, Engineer in Charge, Middle Island.

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