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the sanction of the Provincial Council. With that view we would recommend the adoption of this principle, viz.:--that Trunk Lines either be extended into the interior for general benefit, or to ocean outlets, available to sea-going vessels, in such directions, and to such points as are best fitted for the traffic of the interior and outlets.

3. That, on peculiar and strong grounds of general and not merely local exigency, money for Branch Lines may be voted; but, even in such cases, this should not be done except by way of aid to rates or private contributions, and in all such cases the sums voted should be equal to the sums proved to be so raised; and the management of the undertaking should be confided to the District Boards of Road Trustees.

4. That on these principles the Committee recommend that the Superintendent should be respectfully requested to place upon the Estimates grants for aiding in the construction of the following Roads, in regard to which petitions or motions are before the House:

(1.) Road from Dunedin to Anderson’s Bay.

(2.) Road between the Taieri river and the Waipori.

(3.) Road from head of Taieri Plain to Scroggs’ Creek.

5. That the motions for an address to the Superintendent for a sum being placed on the Estimates for completing the Road from the Beach at Port Chalmers to the Beach at Anderson’s Bay, is unnecessary, a sum being on the Estimates; and for bridges at and near Oamaru, is also unnecessary, the proposed bridges being on the main line, for which a sum is already on the Estimates likewise.

6. That, in the peculiar circumstances of the case, as referred to in the petitions for Saddlehill Road, and on the statement made to the Committee that the owners of land on the proposed line are willing to give the land necessary for the road without compensation, the survey of it should be undertaken by the Government Survey Staff, upon the District Board negotiating with the Landowners, and marking off the line agreed upon with them by flags and stakes.

REPORT

ADOPTED BY THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

ON THE SUBJECT OF STEAM.

THE Committee appointed to consider the subject of Provincial traffic by means of Steam Vessels plying along the coast, and to report to the House thereon, and especially as to how far the existing contract has proved suitable, and in the view of its shortly coming to a close, what other arrangements will be most beneficial, unanimously agreed to the adoption of the following Resolutions:—

1. That it is essential to the prosperity of the Province that there should be regular and stated steam traffic between all the following Ports, viz., Dunedin, Waikouaiti, Moeraki, and Oamaru; and Dunedin, Taieri River as far as the Waihola Lake, the Clutha as far as the Ferry, the Bluff, New River as far as Invercargill, and Jacob’s River, and Toi Toies; and that in so far as this service has not been performed under the contract with Messrs. Jones, Cargill, & Co. it has proved to be unsuitable.

2. That for the performance of this service two steamers at least will be required.

3. That one of said steamers take successively Dunedin, the Bluff, Invercargill, Jacob’s River, Moeraki, Oamaru; and the other take successively Dunedin, Taieri, Clutha, and Waikouaiti.

4. That there can be no assurance at present of regular and successive traffic as above proposed, without offering a subsidy for the service of all the said Ports.

5. That the Executive be empowered to advertise in newspapers at Dunedin, Melbourne, and Sydney, for Contracts for two Steamers for the service as above proposed, during a period of two years.

6. That the Tenders be opened at the end of six calendar months from the date of the advertisements.

7. That the Contractors be taken bound to perform such duties in the execution of said service as the Government sees fit, at rates and under penalties to be named.

8. That the Executive be empowered to make such arrangements as may be advantageous for the continuance of the Steam traffic in the meantime.

REPORT

ADOPTED BY THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

ON THE CLUTHA COAL FIELD.

THE Committee appointed to consider and report on what footing the working of the Clutha Coal Field should be conducted, and how far certain proposals for that object ought to be agreed to, having carefully enquired into and considered the facts connected with the working of the Clutha coal, are of opinion that the coal reserve at the Clutha is likely to become a most valuable property.

They find that it is stated that the quality of the coal improves the further from the sea, and the deeper the mine is worked.

They also find that Mr. Lewis reports that a seam of superior quality to any hitherto worked exists at a depth which would involve considerable outlay to win.