E.—2

8

We can only add our deep regret that such an untoward occurrence should have taken place, as it is quite contrary to a very long experience to find anything other than a mere occasional difference between the quantities of goods invoiced and those supplied. We have taken very stringent means to prevent the possibility of such an occurrence in future. Of course these goods will be sent out to the colony at Messrs. MacLellan's expense. Tours faithfully, (for G. W. Hemans and self), I. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General. George B. Bruce.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 12. Messrs. P. and W. MacLellan to Mr. G. B. Beuce. Somerset Buildings, Upper Thames Street, London, E.C., 13th January, 1875. Dear Sib, — New Zealand Bailways. In reply to your favour re short deliveries of bed-plates and clips for our contract, we regret to learn that some of the boxes shipped per " Halcione " have been found to contain less than the number specified; but in explanation we may state that the shipment by that vessel was made towards the end of our contract, and would comprise plates and clips made from the last lot of iron rolled, which was a trifle heavier than that at the beginning on account of the natural wear of the rolls. We used every precaution to have the correct numbers shipped, and all the boxes were carefully gauged before being packed to the minimum inside dimensions of 26iin. x 12rin. x Bin. deep ; the packing being done in the following manner : — Ten layers of 8 bed-plates each, and between each plate a top clip, making 80 plates and 80 clips ; the remaining top-plates being in four layers of 20 each, the sections of bed-plates and clips being as above. Centre part of plate, i-in.; thickness of top clip, fin., equal (Drawing.) fin. —the thickness of the bed-plate at the edge. We give hereon plans of bed-plates as packed, also of layers of top clips, which show that in length and breadth of each case we have for bed-plates an allowance of |in. x Jin., and for top clips l|in. X iin. respectively. Then for depth we have — 10 layers, each |in.=6iin.") -3 ■ 4 „ „ fin. = Urn.r* m' —thus giving im. allowance. From this it will be evident that at all events the total number of bed-plates ordered and invoiced has been delivered ; and if there are some top clips inadvertently overlooked, all that we can do under the circumstances is to send out a sufficient number to make up the deficiency. This we could do upon receiving instructions : waiting which, We are, Ac, G. B. Bruce, Esq. P. and W. MacLellan. (Drawing.) Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 12. Messrs. P. and W. MacLellan to Mr. G. B. Beuce. 129, Trongate, Glasgow, 27th April, 1875. Deae Sie, — Ee Bed-plates and Clips. We observe from the report sent home from New Zealand, that out of the 2,500 boxes shipped, 243 have been examined and counted, which show a total deficiency of 209 bed-plates, and 5,839 top clips. While admitting that such an unfortunate result will not justify us in defending ourselves in the slightest degree, we may be excused in saying, that we do not think the deduction to be made from these figures gives a fair representation of what has actually been supplied. For example: take the case of the " Waikato," 62 boxes shipped; two being counted, one was found to have only 62 bed-plates, and the other the correct number; an average is derived from this of uine bed-plates short in each box, whereas if more boxes had been counted the average deficiency might have been less, as in the shipment per " Eoslyn Castle," out of 35 boxes counted, only one was deficient in bed-plates, and that box only in one plate. We have simply to say, that we deeply regret that this should have occurred, as it can only be accounted for through gross carelessness. Although every reasonable precaution was used in order that the contract should have been carried out satisfactorily, we have evidently trusted men to pack the work who have proved not trustworthy. At tho same time, after having carefully checked all the iron used for this contract, we find we have received more than we have charged, allowing for waste, t<o we firmly believe, on the whole, the numbers should be very near correct, as explained to you before in our letter of the 13th January, that by the mode of packing we adopted, unless they were all quite flat and carefully packed, a row of clips might be omitted, which would account for us having so many over after the whole was completed ; but as it was doubtful that this surplus was made out of short count or variation in size of iron, we thought it better to hold them over until we should hear, but these will not amount to much over the half the present average taken demands. As we make it out, you still want us to complete our contract, by shipping 2,150 bed-plates and *55,947 clips. These we will immediately put in hands and await your instructions, and in conclusion can only say that we are more annoyed at this affair than we can possibly express to you. We are, Ac, G. B. Bruce, Esq., P. and W. MacLellan. P.S. —* There were 60,072 clips in contract, but 4,125 have been shipped, leaving 55,917 still to go. By Authority: Geoegb Didsbuhy, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7s. Price 6(/.]