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No. 26. Mr. Knowles to Mr. Murdoch. Sir,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 21st June, 1873. I am directed by the Hon. Mr. Richardson to forward to you the enclosed three copies of a deed of covenant for purchase of shares in the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway, which be good enough to sign and seal with the seal of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited), and return to me for completion. I have, &c, John Knowles, D. L. Murdoch, Esq., Auckland. Under Secretary.

No. 27. Mr. Murdoch to Mr. Knowles. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited), Sir,— Auckland, 12th July, 1873. I beg to acknowledge your letter dated 21st June, No. 868, enclosing three copies of a deed of covenant for purchase of shares in the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway, for execution by this Company, and I now beg to return them to you (duly executed) for completion. I shall be glad to receive one copy for this Company when in order. I have, &c., D. L. Murdoch, John Knowles, Esq., Under Secretary, Managing Director. Public Works Office, AVellington.

No. 28. Mr. Proudfoot to the Hon. Mr. Richardson. Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway Company (Limited), Sir,— 23rd July, 1873. As promised by telegram, I herewith forward you copies of all the drawings of the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway I at present can find, but which I trust will be ample for your purpose. They comprise longitudinal section, cross sections, culverts, bridges, Dunedin station buildings, goods sheds, line through wharves and quays' reserve, transverse formation section, seven tracings parliamentary preliminary traverse of line, section of tunnel. Plan of rolling stock I could not get ready in time for this mail, but will let you have them complete by next steamer. Any further information you may require I shall be happy to give AVishing you every success, I have, &c, The Hon. E. Richardson. David Proudfoot. P.S. —Is there any probability of a good length of line being out soon. I regret I sold Dunedin aud Port Chalmers Railway. However, under the circumstances, I could scarcely do otherwise, too much power and interest having been given away in London.

No. 29. Under Secretary, Public Works, to Mr. Proudfoot. Sir,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 26th July, 1873. I am directed by the Hon. Mr. Bichardson to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd instant, and the plans of Port Chalmers Railway therein mentioned as having been forwarded, and to express Mr. Richardson's thanks for the same. I have, &c, John Knowles, David Proudfoot, Esq., Dunedin. Under Secretary.

No. 30. Messrs. AVebb and Fulton to the Hon. Mr. Bichardson. Sir, — Dunedin, 7th April, 1873. AYe have the honor, as agents for responsible persons who are desirous of leasing the Port Chalmers and Clutha Bailways, to inquire whether the Government will entertain proposals in this direction. A negotiation which was pending between the Port Chalmers Eailway Company and ourselves has been closed by the sale of this line to the Government. AYe desire to repeat the pro-