19

D.—s

They are of opinion that it should go before the Court here first, to get the Judge's consent to the sale. I now enclose the draft, and must apologize for not having returned it sooner. The delay was owing to the absence of Mr. McGregor from Dunedin. I have, &c, C. Y. O'Connor, Esq., Under-Secretary for Public Geo. S. Brodeick, Works, Wellington. Official Liquidator. [Note. —The Agreement is set forth in No. 3 of D.-sb.]

No. 8. Thames Valley and Eotorua Eailway. Memoranda of Particulars of the Promotion, Cons/ruction, and Cost of the Railway. 1. The Thames Valley and Eotorua Eailway Company (Limited) was formed in February, 1882—(1) to construct under "The District Eailways Act, 1877," a railway from Morrinsville Station on the Kaipara-Waikato Eailway to a point within the Mangarautawhiri Block, in the County of Piako; (2) to construct, under "The Eailways Construction and Land Act, 1881," a railway from a point within the Mangarautawhiri Block to the Village of Ohinemutu, Lake Rotorua, —all in the Provincial District of Auckland. 2. The consent of the ratepayers and owners of property to the construction of the Morrinsville to Lichfield section of the proposed line — length, 42 miles — was obtained on the 13th April, 1883. 3. The estimated cost of the Morrinsville-Lichfield portion of the railway was £200,000. 4. The Governor's approval of, and assent to, the construction of the Morrinsville-Lichfield section of the railway.was gazetted 21st June, 1883. 5. The railway is not yet open for traffic. 6. The certified cost of the Morrinsville-Lichfield section of the railway was £200,000. 7. The construction of the second section of the railway from Pataruru, near Lichfield, to Eotorua —length, 31 miles —has not yet been commenced; but its construction and completion form part of the provisional agreement which has been entered into between the company and the Government for the purchase of the whole line.

No. 9. CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE PURCHASE OF THE THAMES VALLEY AND ROIORUA RAILWAY. 1. The Hon. the Minister for Public Woeks to the Chairman, Thames Valley and Eotorua Eailway Company. Sir,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 14th November, 1884. I have the honour to forward to you herewith the copy of a resolution passed by the House of Eepresentatives. In conformity therewith, the Government will be prepared to enter into an agreement with you for the lease and purchase of that portion of the Thames Valley and Eotorua Eailway, the construction of which has been undertaken under the District Eailways Act—namely, the portion from Morrinsville to Lichfield, on condition that the agreement shall be subject to the ratification of Parliament next session. If you are willing to lease and sell, and will at once signify a desire to that effect, the Government will consider the offer they will make to you. You must be good enough to furnish also the information described in the memorandum at foot. I have, &c, The Chairman, Thames Valley and Eotorua Eailway Edward Eichaedson. Company (Limited), Auckland.

Enclosure 1 in 1 of No. 9. Resolution of the House of Representatives, dated 30th October, 1884. {Vide No. I.]

Enclosure 2 in 1 of No. 9. Memorandum of Infobmation required. [Vide 2 in 4 of No. 3.]

2. The Chaisman, Thames Valley and Botorua Railway Company, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. The Thames Valley and Eotorua Eailway Company (Limited), Sir,— Auckland, 29th November, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge your communication of the 14th instant, covering a copy of the resolution passed by the House of Bepresentatives on the 30th October last, and a memorandum detailing the information required by the Government to enable them to estimate the value of the railway now being constructed from Morrinsville to Lichfield; you also intimate that if the company are willing to lease and sell, and will at once signify a desire to that effect, the Government will consider the offer they will make. The directors are willing to lease and sell to the Government in terms of the resolution above referred to ; and they are prepared to accept a return of the amount actually expended by them. The acquisition of the line by the Government at cost price could not be considered an unprofitable