Harbour and Railway Interests.

A Commission, consisting of Messrs. W. B. Bray, T. Cass, W. J. W. Hamilton, R. Kerr, Henry Rose, J. D. Macpherson, G. Buckley, and J. E. Allen, had been appointed on 10th March, 1863, to advise as to the best means of improving the harbour at Lyttelton, and, particularly, as to bringing the shipping into direct contact with the railway. This Commission in submitting their report recommended that, before proceeding with the work, the advice of some eminent English authority be obtained regarding their proposals.

The Council agreed as to the necessity for constructing the Rakaia Bridge, but asked that the reports and estimates of engineers be laid before the Council preliminary to the voting of supplies. The Council also considered that £150,000 would be sufficient for the proposed Northern Railway, and that £100,000 of the loan should be devoted to harbour improvement. It was also recommended that, with a view to the purchase of private rights, a detailed survey of the land required should be made so as to avoid the extravagant demands for land taken. The Council had before it a return of the cost of the land for the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway.