where he had carried out a comprehensive geological survey of the country. He had already established a high reputation among scientists and practical men, and the Provincial Government secured his services to report on the probable extent of the hard rock which had led to the abandonment of the first contract. His report, read to the Council on December 20, was favourable, predicting that a good deal of the distance to be driven would be through comparatively easy country, and that it would prove possible to complete the Tunnel sooner and at less cost than had been originally anticipated.
Mr. Baynes and his engineer, Mr. McCandlish, were publicly entertained by the Superintendent on November 30, 1860, prior to their departure for England, and acknowledgment was made of the assistance they had given in passing the Railway Bill and initiating the work.
The Superintendent then proposed that the Provincial Engineer, Mr. Edward Dobson, should continue the work at both ends of the Tunnel, and that later on, when more information had been obtained, a contract should be let for the central portion. This proposal, when submitted to the Provincial Council on December 11, 1860, was carried only by the casting vote of the chairman, and the Superintendent, being disinclined to act on so narrow a majority, invited the Council to join him in praying the Governor for a dissolution. A few days later, on January 4, 1861, the matter was patched up, and the Superintendent was authorised to find a new contractor, and to negotiate the loan, the two propositions to be interdependent.
Shortly afterwards, Mr. Moorhouse left for Melbourne in search of a contractor. In his absence, he lost his seat in the House of Representatives, being beaten by Mr. A. E. White (for Akaroa) on February 13, 1861, but he was subsequently returned for Heathcote. At Melbourne, about April 16, 1861, he entered into a
