B.—No. 3.

No. 18. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO THE SUrERINTENDENT, MARLBOROUGH. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 26th August, 1864. Sir, — With reference to letter No. 15, of the 29th ultimo, from the late Superintendent of Marlborough, part of which relates to raising a Loan for the employment of destitute persons, I have to inform your Honor that the General Government does not consider the relief of destitute persons a proper object for a Loan ; and that, even if such a Loan were sanctioned, there does not appear any probability of negotiating it in the present state of the money market. I have, &c, W. Fox, His Honor the Superintendent, Maryborough.

PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. No. 1. THE SUPERINTENDENT, CANTERBURY, TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. Superintendent's Office, Christchurch, 9th July, 1864. Si*, — The difficulty whicli is experienced in the negotiation of Debentures issued by the Provincial Governments of New Zealand, is one which is likely at the present time to be very prejudicial to the interests of Canterbury. The bridging of our large rivers, the extension of the Railway, and other large works, which are necessary to the development of the resources of the Province could not be advantageously proceeded with till that difficulty is removed. I am led to believe that the refusal of the Committee of the Stock Exchange to allow Debentures issued by Provincial Governments to appear in their official list is an obj-ction to their negotiation, which even in a more favorable condition of monetary affairs in England will prove detrimental to the interests of the Provinces of New Zealand. After careful consideration, I have thought it well to request Mr. Hall, who is a member of my Executive Council, to proceed to Auckland to represent my views to the Government on the matter, and to request them to adopt such measures as will place our Debentures in a more favorable position, and remove the objection which appears to exist to them from the want of a guarantee of the General Government of the Colony. Mr. Hall will be able at the same time to explain more fully than I could by letter the present financial position of the Province, and the necessity of the works which I wish to see carried out. I have to request that you will give him an opportunity of laving before the Government my views and those of my Executive Council on a matter of such importance to the Province. I have, &c, S. Bealet, Superintendent. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. F

(No. 249.)

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PROVINCIAL LOANS.