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I.—lo.

77. Is there any other description that would identify the two ?—A general description is given here. The tail-race to commence at a point near public tailing site, Kumara, shown on accompanying plan and section marked 0, and finishing at a point marked C. E. 39 21 on plan and section, a total distance of 39 chains 21 links, equal to 2,588 feet, and consists of the excavation and construction of a tunnel tail-race and sinking a shaft, with all necessary works, as specified hereinafter, and delineated on accompanying plans and drawings. 78. Mr. Stout.] Does that description agree with the plan?—Yes. 79. Mr. Seddon.] Will plans B and C, with the exception of the curve, agree with plan A and the general description of the contract ?—The plan does, but not the longitudinal section. 80. Is the grade marked upon plans A, B, and C the same? —A and C are not the same. 81. What is trie difference in trie grade?—The 300th of an inch in 12 feet. 82. And the grade of plan A is?—s'63 inches in 12 feet. 83. Turning to Mr. Wylde's report, page 139 ; according to the section shown upon plan A, w Thich alternative would be shown in that report ?—lt is totally a different grade from the one in Mr. Wylde's report. He advocates a grade of 7 inches in the 12 feet. 84. What does that alternative say ?—lt says it will accommodate sixteen parties. 85. Is there anything about No. 1 Channel in Mr. Wylde's report?—There is. I have shown on the sections the level of an alternative race, following tho same direction as tho one above described, but having a grade of only 5J inches to 12 feet, which would strike tho bottom of the sludge-channel, and thus would serve to divert all the tailings from that channel above the point of intersection, and consequently would serve a much larger area ; but it would also require a larger quantity of water to work it. 86. Turn now to the same report; and, in reference to the first proposal, what height would that be above the Kumara Sludge-channel? Does it mention anything about the sludge-channel, or what height ? —The upper end of the tail-race is 28 feet 4 inches above the channel, and the lower end, if continued as far as the river, would be 22 feet 5 inches above medium flood-level. 87. On plan A the grade is 5'63 ? —Yes. 88. And on plan C, 5-60?—Yes. 89. Take plan D : upon that plan, starting from the same point, does that show the difference between the alternate grades?—This is a different plan altogether. It shows the grade of the proposed tunnel to be 2-41 per chain. Plan D shows the same grade as plan A; but I may say there are two grades upon the plan, and these grades do not correspond. 90. As they appear in the plan, the grade is identical ?—As far as the writing is concerned. 91. Turn now to plan C : what is the total length, commencing from the Teremakau Eiver, and terminating at Channel No 1, point B at the river: what distance did Mr. Wylde give in his report from No. 1 Channel to the Teremakau Eiver ?—Seventy-one chains. 92. What length, in feet would that be?—According to measurement on plan by scale the total distance would be 72 chains 8 links from No. 1 Sludge-channel to point B, Eiver Teremakau. 93. Now, return to page 138 ; you will find a report there by Mr. Gow, dated the 11th October. Which of the claims does triat report affect ?—Page 138 is a copy of a telegram. J. Gow, Esq., Kumara. Mr. Seddon has produced plans by H. J. Wylde of proposed new tail-race. Minister wishes report from department on the scheme. Would you see Mr. Wylde about levels, plans, and report. Also see Mr. Pearn about his report. Please give your view of the scheme and your estimate of cost. If you wish we can send tracing of plan and copy of reports handed in by Mr. Seddon. Wellington, 10th October, 1884. H. J. H. Eliott. 94. Turn to that report of Mr. Gow, under that instruction; look at page 132: what does Mr. Gow say there ?— Re proposed new tail-race to near the top end of the Kumara Sludge-channel, to relieve the same of the excessive work now thrown upon it. Sir,— Kumara, 18th October, 1884. In conformity with your request in telegram of the 14th instant, I have the honour to report as follows :— Although the channel with the four three-hours shifts of six parties each fully accommodates all who claim a right to use it, the energetic way in which some of the claims are now being worked renders it totally inadequate to accommodate the same number of parties divided into three shifts during four months in midwinter. The only remedy to resort to to prevent a total cessation of work during that time by about one-third of the parties is to givo them turn and turn about, which will average a little more than half time, or from three to four shifts each week. This loss of time reduces a fairly-payable claim to a non-payablo one for the time, and saddles a very poor claim with a debt at the commencement of the full-shift time. The desire to remedy this evil, and at the same time to proeuro additional tailing-room, where they would feel certain of being able to work the whole of their claims, has suggested this new channel to be constructed at Government cost instead of granting a subsidy to a tail-race intended to accommodate four claims only, which would only be a partial cure. I have compared Mr. Wylde's plan and section of main line with my own, and find his levels correct. Of the two schemes the one to tap tho present channel would prove of greatest utility. It would open an extended area for tailings, and would, I think, cure all claims for priority. My estimate of cost of the two schemes includes stone paving in the new channel ready for work, and wood blocks in the tail-race to work the four claims only. The tunnel for new channel to be 7 feet high by 4 feet 7 inches wide, in clear legs 7 inches, and caps 9 inches diameter, red-birch planking 1| inches thick, and channel 32 inches wide by 32 inches deep, set on one side of tunnel, and a side-walk 14 feet wide between side-straps and legs. The tram to bo on edge of channel, 14-inch stone paving. Estimated to cost 365. 6d. per foot = £4,450 13s. An ordinary tail-race to work the four claims, 32 chains at 13s. .. .. £1,372 16 0 Two branches to present workings, 15 chains at 12s. .. .. .. 594 0 0 £1,966 16 0 This is about what it would cost if miners did tho work ; but I am doubtful if they can do anything toward it unless they are paid £3 per week for their labour. If the branch channel be constructed, lam of opinion that some of the claim-holders will be expecting payment from some one for having to drV-fce a new tail-race into it, otherwise they will refuse to leave or cancel their right to use of old channel. This would have to be arranged beforehand and made very clear. Additional flushing water would be required and larger storing capacity at tho Loopline Dam, and probable enlargement of race-tunnel and race from these to the claims. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. J. Gow, Manager, 2—l. 10.