L—ll

150

(d.) That the rescission of the existing contract shall extinguish all claims and demands that could have been made thereunder by either the Government or the company ; and all the Crown land at present reserved from sale for selection by the company (except as regards the area yet to be selected in respect of the portion of the railway already constructed) shall be entirely released from such reservation, and shall be available to be dealt with in any manner the Government may think fit, as from the date of the execution of the new contract; also, that the area of land which the company is entitled to select in respect of the portions of the railway already completed shall be so selected within three months from the execution of the new contract. (c.) That the time for the completion of the railway between Patterson's Greek and Jackson's be a period not exceeding four years from date of the new contract. That the Government be requested to give effect to these proposals, provided the company consents to rescind the original contract and accept a new contract in the terms hereinbefore mentioned. W. E. Eussbll, 29th August, 1894. Chairman, Midland Bailway Committee.

Eepoets.—lB96. Petitioneb [G. B. Parker] prays that Parliamen% will consider the grievances which the debenture-holders in the New Zealand Midland Railway Company have against the Government, in respect of the seizure of the railway ; and also the claim of the said debenture-holders for payment of the amount expended on the construction of the said railway. Your Committee has the honour to report that, having carefully considered the petition of the debenture-holders in the Midland Eailway Company, it finds that, from the facts contained in the report of the Committee of even date with this in respect to the Midland Eailway Company's petition, it has no recommendation to make. W. J. M. Labnach, 29th September, 1896. Chairman. Petitioners pray for compensation in respect of the loss they have sustained through their being prevented from fulfilling their contract by the seizure of the railway, or that such assistance may be given them as will enable them to make arrangements for the carrying-out of the said or any other contract for the completion of the said railway. Your Committee has the honour to report that, inasmuch as the Midland Eailway Company does not regard its contractual rights as being at an end, but, on the contrary, expresses its intention of paying the account already rendered to it by the Government up to 29th February last, in pursuance of section 123 of " The Eailways Construction and Land Act, 1881," on or before the expiry of the notice served upon its representative in July last under section 125 of the said Act, and as the Midland Eailway Company claims that upon such payment being made all its rights in the matter of land-selection and otherwise under the contract of the 3rd August, 1888, are and will be fully preserved, the Committee is unable to make any recommendation on the company's petition. W. J. M. Labnach, 29fch September, 1896. Chairman. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (1,375 copies), £81 16s. By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oo. Price 6d.]