E.—3.

inquiry into the working of these lines would point to Christchurch as the proper head-quarters for the Commissioner and his staff. It may have been considered by a section of the Dunedin community that the presence of the Commissioner might be required temporarily in Dunedin to reorganize the lines centreing in that important city; but this Chamber is of opinion that this could be efficiently carried out by the Commissioner by an occasional visit to Dunedin, without the removal of his department from this city : as it is self-evident that a staff so thoroughly organized as that rrow under his control must contain several who, under Mr. Conyers's direction, are thoroughly competent to deal with and satisfy the requirements of Dunedin. The removal of Mr. Conyers and his department would most seriously affect the working of the Canterbury Eailways, and this Chamber is of opinion that this portion of the Middle Island Eailways is, and will for many years remain, the most profitable and important portion of the New Zealand lines. The following figures —which are a statement of the cash received on account of the Amberley, Bluff, and Kingston Line, for the twelve months ending 30th June, 1879 —fully corroborate the opinion herein expressed : —

I also give herewith returns, compiled from the Government Gazette, of the value of the foreign and intercolonial exports from the Port of Lyttelton and Port Chalmers for the twelve months ending 30th June, 1879; together with the aggregate tonnage and number of vessels (exclusive of those leaving in ballast) leaving the above ports for the same period:—

EXPORT beyond New Zealand.

SHIPPING beyond New Zealand.

These figures speak for themselves, more especially when it is remembered that the exports from Lyttelton are almost entirely borne there by the railways, and are mostly of such a bulky nature that during the pressure of the grain season the resources of the Eailway Department are strained to the utmost to successfully cope with the heavy traffic thereby created. You are also no doubt aware that 2—E. 3.

5

Period. livision o .ine. foot Is. 'asscngers. lob 1878. July 1 to Dec. 38. District north of Waitaki District south of Waitaki £ s. d. 79.63S 19 8 53,237 19 8 £ s. d. 57,212 12 7 50,935 16 7 £ s. d. 136,851 12 3 104,173 16 3 Dec. 28, to June 30, 1879. District north of Waitaki District south of Waitaki 132,876 19 4 108,148 9 2 241,025 8 110,643 2 5 82,505 10 2 66,113 15 10 72,988 19 6 176,756 18 155,494 9 July 1,1878, to June 30, 1879. Recapitulation. District north of Waitaki District south of Waitaki 193,148 12 7 139,102 15 4 332,251 7 1 190,282 2 1 135,743 9 10 123,326 8 5 123,924 16 1 313,608 10 I 259,668 5 1 326,025 11 11 247,251 4 6 573,276 16

Lyttelton. D.NEDIN. Quarter Endhig N.Z. Produce, exclusive of Gold. Other Colonies, British, and Foreign [Manufactures. Gold. Total. N.Z. Produce. i?* 05,J&?I?,(..rlUBive nf mes > British, Gold and Forei»n tr0ia- Manufactures. Gold. Total. 1878. Sept. 30 ... )ec. 31 ... 1879. ilar. 31 ... "unc 30 ... £ 219,170 443,586 £ 15,160 51,583 £ 234,330 495,169 £ 126,905 110,760 £ 1,475 59,930 £ 130,504 111,195 £ 258,884 281,885 526,903 407,097 1,137 30,558 528,040 437,655 610,791 287,729 12,730 4,727 75,684 133,761 699,205 426,217 1,596,756 98,438 1,695,194 1,136,185 78,862 451,144 1,666,191 I

Ly :te_ton. IH. [EDIB. Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage. 1878. September 30... .ecember 31... 1879. 86 16 10,590 8,908 6 7 3,316 4,433 _arch 31 rune 30 13 50 12,146 25,837 Ki 37 11,977 23,020 105 57,481 «; 42,746