The following Letters containing advices of the shipment of railway and other material were received on the 11th July, 1873, after the Paper E. No. 3, containing a " Statement of Shipments," had been printed. No. 15. Dr. Featherston to the Hon. the Colonial Secretart. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 6th May, 1873. I have the honor to enclose herewith invoice in duplicate, bill of lading, and schedule of shipment of cylinders for the Waitaki Bridge, shipped by the "St. Kilda," at Liverpool, for Otago. This shipment completes the order received under Public Works Memorandum No. 55, of 25th November, 1871. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. I. E. Featherston.

No. 16. Dr. Featheeston to the Hon. the Colonial Secretart. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 12th May, 1873. I have the honor to transmit herewith invoices and bills of lading for railway material, engines, and rolling stock, ordered under Public Works Memorandum No. 24, 23rd January, 1872. The schedule annexed will show the vessels by which the materials were shipped, and the ports to which insurance has been effected, and the amounts insured. The detailed specifications attached to the invoices will give the numbers and contents of the packages. I much regret that in these shipments much inconvenience has arisen from some of the manufacturers giving delivery alongside at the time specified for the vessels receiving the material, while others who had received orders for the same ship have failed to do so. The consequence has been, that the vessels would not wait, and my endeavours to keep each shipment entire in itself have been frustrated by delays over which I had no control. The three engines, and the railway carriages and brake vans, have been insured against all risks, in accordance with your instructions. Two cases (portions of brake vans shipped in the " Countess of Klintore " were too large) for that vessel, and had to be shipped by the " City of Auckland." Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co. decline to undertake the transhipment of goods to ports to which the ship does not proceed, which will necessitate the Government making provision for forwarding such upon the arrival of the ship by which they are conveyed. I have, &c, I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General. P.S. —I would beg leave to add that the engines have to be taken out of the " City of Auckland " by the Government.

No. 17. Dr. Featherston to the Hon. the Colonial Secretart. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 12th May, 1873. I have the honor to report that tenders for the supply of railway material and rolling stock indented for in Public Works Memorandum 123-72, of the 25th October, 1872, were invited for the 38th ultimo. Annexed is a schedule of the firms which tendered, and the prices. The tenders of the following firms I have accepted : — Messrs. Black, Hawthorne, and Co., for four engines. Eailway Carriage Company, for rolling stock. Messrs. Shaw, Johnston and Eeay, for 40flj. iron rails. Messrs. P. and W. MacLellan, for rail joints. The Patent Nut and Bolt Company, for bed plates. Messrs. Bayliss, Jones, and Bayliss, for fang bolts and spikes. The Staffordshire Wheel and Axle Company, for wheels and axles. I have also to state that Messrs. Black, Hawthorne, and Co.'s tender for the locomotive for the Dunedin and Clutha Eailway, ordered under Public Works Memorandum No. 13G, 21st December, 1872, has been accepted at the price named in the schedule. The reports of the Consulting Engineer are enclosed. I have, &c, I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

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SUPPLEMENTARY.