87

If the road were constructed to give a width of 30 feet within the railway fence,
the cutting required would be of very considerable extent, and involve an expenditure
roughly estimated at £81,369, as calculated by careful measurement from the plans
supplied by you, with due allowance for slopes required at the spots indicated to be
cut away.

There is no doubt it would be better that all the hollows between the railway
and the road should be filled up, but on the railway, as proposed to Parliament to be
constructed, it was not contemplated to do this work, and it would involve a large
additional expenditure.

The Government Engineers report that it has been considered less likely to cause
damage by way of slips to pursue the course they have in taking out loose, than by
taking away more solid material.

3. The formation of the railway embankment was kept at its present level to
   prevent expense, and it is considered better to construct the line in this manner than
   to expend the much larger sum which would have been required had the line been
   kept as suggested by you to the higher level throughout; and the proposal to face
   the banks along the entire distance with concrete blocks, would alone cause an estimated
   expenditure of £4,350, in addition to that already contemplated in the present contract.

4. It is a matter of very grave doubt whether it would be at all advisable to
   construct the railway inside the road, instead of, as at present proposed, outside. The
   danger to the public using the road would most probably be very seriously increased
   instead of diminished; and the cost of protecting the road would not be much less than
   that now proposed to be incurred for protecting the railway.

From the above it will be seen by your Honor that, although the Government
are prepared to give the fullest possible consideration to such suggestions as you
may think it desirable to make, they are not able to concur in your Honor’s recom-
mendations in the letter now under comment.

I have, &c.,

G. M. WATERHOUSE.

Superintendent’s Office,
Wellington, 25th February, 1873.

SIR,—

In reply to your letter of the 12th instant, in answer to mine of the 5th inst.
relating to the works on the Hutt Railway, as affecting the road alongside, I abstain
from doing more than expressing my regret at the view taken by the Government.

Although much may be said in reply to the several paragraphs of your letter,
at the same time, whilst I do not wish to be unduly insisting, the responsibility which
I am under with regard to the safety of the traffic, must be my excuse for again bringing
the subject under your serious attention.

I enclose a copy of a report from the Provincial Engineer, and I express my opinion
that the Province should be authorized to expend the sum of £6,000 for the specific
purpose therein named.

I have, &c.,

WILLIAM FITZHERBERT,

The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse,
Wellington.

Provincial Engineer’s Office,
Wellington, 22nd February, 1873.

SIR,—

I have the honor to report, with reference to the Wellington and Hutt Railway,
in connection with the public road.

1. That the average width of the road between Wellington and the Korokoro Stream,
   before the commencement of the railway work, was 24 feet 5 inches, and if there is a
   minimum width taken it should be this width at least.

2. The railway prevents communication with the beach; all the side approaches
   thereto have been destroyed, and it will be impossible to obtain the metal for repairs
   from the places we have been accustomed to; this will cause additional cartage, and of
   course expense.

3. The metal reserves or points, where metal was stacked, have been cut away, and
   we are now obliged to make new reserves in consequence thereof at considerable cost.