6

D.—s

4. That from the 31st March last to the date of the agreement coming into operation, the ratepayers should only be held liable to make good any deficiencies up to 2 per cent., instead of 5 per cent. On the basis of these conditions the Government, if you are willing to lease and sell, and will at once signify a desire to that effect, will consider the offer they will make to you. You must be good enough to furnish all the information described in the memorandum at foot. In making arrangements with the ratepayers, as indicated above, you are at liberty to inform them that, should Parliament ratify the arrangement proposed, the Government will include in the ratification a proposal to reduce the present responsibilities of the ratepayers from 5 to 2 per cent., to run over a course of twenty years, commencing with the date on account of which the first payment is made. I have, &c, Edward Eichardson, Minister for Public Works. The Chairman, Waimate Eailway Company (Limited), Waimate, Canterbury.

Enclosure 1 in 5 of No. 5. Eesolution of the House o^Repeesentatives, dated 30th October, 1884. [Vide No. I.J

Enclosure 2 in 5 of No. 5. Memorandum of Information required. [Vide Enclosure 2 in 4 of No. 3.]

6. The Secretary, Waimate Eailway Company, to the Hon. the Minister for Public WorksSir, — Waimate Eailway Company, Waimate, 20th November, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of yours of the 14th (P.W., No. 57-493), and, in answer thereto, beg to inform you that it will at once be laid before the board of directors. I have, &c, Frank Slee, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Secretary.

7. The Secretary, Waimate Eailway Company, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Woeks. Sir, — Waimate, 22nd November, 1884. I have the honour to inform you, by direction of the chairman of the Waimate Eailway Company (Limited), in answer to yours (P.W., No. 57-493) of the 14th, that, in conformity with the resolution lately passed by the House of Eepresentatives, the company is desirous to lease and sell to the Government their line of railway. Further, I have the honour to inform you that I am instructed to furnish you with the plans and documents referred to by you, to enable the Government to consider and make their offer. I have, &c, Frank Slee, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Secretary.

8. The Secretary, Waimate Eailway Company, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works Waimate Railway. —Ee Leasing and Selling. Sir, — Waimate, 6th December, 1884. I have the honour to request that you will supply me with the lithograph standard drawings as per list enclosed, to assist me in sending the plans, &c, as required by you in your letter to the company of the 14th November. By doing so much time will be saved; and I hope to be able to send you all documents and information required within a few days after receiving the abovenamed drawings. Should there be any charge for same the company will remit the amount on receipt. I have, &c, Frank Slee, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Secretary.

Enclosure in 8 of No. 5. New Zealand Public Works Standard Drawings used for Waimate District Eailway.—(l) Picket-fenco and wicket, P.W.D. 7234 ; (2) Class B, solid platform, P.W.D. 6956 ; (3) outside loading platform ; (4) privies and urinals (Class B, single set) ; (5) fourth-class railway-station (24th March, 1875) ; (6) fifth-class station (Class B), P.W.D. G844 ; (7) stationmaster's house (Class B), P.W.D. 6712; (S) goods-shed (Class li), 100 x 30, Shoot No. 1 ; (9) goods-shod, 100 x 30, Sheet No. 2, P.W.D. 7003 ; (10) water-tanks, Sheet No. 1; (11) water-tanks, Sheet No. 2, P.W.D. 6329 ; (12) 16-ft. gate, with cage and wicket; (13) 12-ft. gate (B) ; (14) cross-sections, &c, &c, P.W.D. 7243 ; (15) level crossings, cattle-stops, &c.; (16) bridges, 40ft. span, P.W.D. 6945 ; (17) wood culverts ; (18) masonry culverts, Sheet No. 1; (19) masonry culverts, Sheet No. 2 ; (20) permanont-way ; (21) points, crossings, and sidings ; (22) alterations to goods-shed doors, P.W.D. 8407.