AGENT-GENERAL, LONDON.

13

D.—No. 1

Enclosure 1 in No. 10. Memorandum of Orders for Plant, &c, to be procured through the Agent-General.

Enclosure 2 in No. 10. The Hon. W. Reeves to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Office of the Resident Minister for the Middle Island, Sir, — Christchurch, 20th December, 1871. (Extract.) The only mode of hastening the railway is to expedite the shipment of the rails. These have been ordered long since, and must all be ready for shipment. Contracts have been taken for their shipment in the usual way —that is, at the rate of about 100 tons per month—but no advices have yet been received of the shipment of any part. If the railway is to be finished quickiy, instructions must be sent to the Agent-General to cancel the existing shipping contracts, and to substitute others by special charter. By the ordinary vessels trading to New Zealand, all the rails will not reach Lyttelton at the earliest under from twelve to fifteen months. By special charter they might all be landed within six months : the cost would be increased, but the line would be finished nearly a twelvemonth sooner. I trust, therefore, this plan will be adopted. I have, &c, W. Reeves.

No. 11. Memorandum for the A gent-General, London. (No. 63, 1871.) Public Works Office, Wellington, 22nd December, 1871. In my memorandum No. 51, reporting the terms on which Messrs. Birch and Seaton had been appointed Immigration Agents, I informed you that the payment of their passages to London was conditional, but I have now to inform you that the Government have guaranteed their passages, and you will accordingly pay them. Mr. Seaton proceeds by the ship "Otago," to sail from Port Chalmers to-morrow. Mr. Birch proceeds by the present mail steamer via San Francisco. Tou will see from the enclosed letter that it was never contemplated that Mr. Birch should proceed other than by sailing vessel, and you will take care, therefore, that the minimum payment for an overland through ticket is not exceeded. W. Gisborne.

Enclosure in No. 11. Under Secretary, Public Works, to Mr. T. Bißcn and Mr. J. Seaton. Sir, — Public Works Office, Wellington, 4th December, 1871. His Honor the Superintendent of Otago having informed Mr. Gisborne that the terms of the letter I addressed to you on the 21st ultimo are not considered satisfactory, Mr. Gisborne has, on His Honor's recommendation, directed me to state that instead of making the payment of the passage 4

ro. Date of Order. Nature of Orders. Latest date of arrival at nearest Port in the Colony. Remarks. COLONIAL SECRETARY'S LETTERS. 68 27th May, 1871 ... 2nd Juno, 18/1 ... ... Plant, Dunedin and Clutha Sav end of February, Railway, 1872. ... Piaul C'jris.church,Rangj- Sn-ne date ... ora . akaia Railway UJ Much wan.ed. PUBLIC WORKS MEMORANDA. 23 2(5 27 23rd August, 1871 31st August, 1871 1st September, 1871 Further list of Waitaki Bridge Plant Further order, Dunedin and Clutha Railway Rails, &c,Manawatu Tramway Additional Girders, Waitaki Bridge Plant and Rolling Stock for Messrs. Brogden June, 1872 June, 1872. Wanted. Not in a hurry. 30 30th September, 1871 ... June, 1872. 53 25th November, 1871 ... August, 1872 The rails ordered ought to be here in nine months if no delay in ordering them in England takee place ; but if they arrive by the end of 1872 they will be in time, The workshop tools should arrive as soon as possible.