E.—4a.

1873. NEW ZEALAND.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH AGENT-GENERAL, LONDON.

LI—FURTHER LETTERS FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL. Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency. No. 1. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. 7, Westminster Chambers, Slr,— Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., 3rd June, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 16th January, 73-188, forwarding a Memorandum by the Minister for Public Works on the subject of the delay in the shipments of material and rolling stock for railways in New Zealand. For the information of the Government, I beg to offer the following explanations and remarks : — Ist. The Hon. Mr. Richardson states that, " by the order sent home on 26th November, 1871, 4,970 tons rails and fastenings, together with large amount of rolling stock, were ordered." I beg to observe that, on referring to the letter of instructions (20th November, 1871, No. 53), I cannot find that any rolling stock was ordered by the Government on that occasion. The whole of the rails and fastenings have been shipped to the Colony, and advices of the shipments duly made to the Government. 2. The order sent home on the 10th January, 1872, for 5,460 tons rails and fastenings, together with rolling stock, has likewise been fully executed. 3. Of tho 5,000 tons rails and fastenings, with rolling stock, ordered for Canterbury railways on the Bth June, 1872, 1,250 tons have already been shipped. The rolling stock is due on the 20th June, and the enginesin August next. 4. For the 2,100 tons of rails ordered on the 28th October, 1872, for Canterbury railways, the contract has been taken, and the goods are due in monthly instalments from June to August, as specified in the contract. The rolling stock is due on the 6th November next, and the engines, ordered at the same time, in February, 1874. 5. Of the 3,500 tons rails and fastenings, with rolling stock, ordered for various lines on tho 28th October, 1,500 tons of the former are contracted for, and will be due in monthly instalmeuts from July to August; and the whole of the rolling stock will be due on the 6th November next. I have, &c, I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 2. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 7, Westminster Chambers, Sir,— Victoria Street, Westminster, S.AV., 12th June, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. Richardson's Memorandum of 4th April (No. 14, 1873), recommending that tho freight on all shipments should be made payable in New Zealand, I beg to state that I shall at once make inquiries on the subject, and if on investigation I find that there is any advantage to the Government in the course recommended by the Hon. Mr. Richardson, I shall immediately adopt it, or otherwise give my reasons for not acting upon his suggestion. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 3. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 7, Westminster Chambers, Sir,— Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., 13th June, 1873. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of Public Works Memorandum (No. 15, 1873) of the 9th April last, relative to the shipment of rails by the " George A. Holt," without a proportionate quantity of fastenings.