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Dr. J. Kilcoue to the Hon. J. Macandeew. (Telegram.) Grahamstown, 26th April, 1878. Kindly reply to my telegram of yesterday re Thames and AVaikato Railway. J. Kilgour, Mayor.

The Hon. J. Macandeew to Dr. J. Kilgoue. (Telegram No. 1330.) Wellington, 26th April, 1878. I eegeet that I am as yet unable to indicate probable provisions of Bill to which you refer. j. Macandrew.

Dr. Kilgoue to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks. Re Thames and Waikato Eailway. Sib,— Council Chambers, Thames, 13th May, 1878. I have the honor to request that you will be good enough to indicate whether the Government will expect the Committee to send draft of Bill to enable a company to construct the line abovementioned —the draft to serve as a basis for the Bill on the subject which it is the intention of the Government to introduce. The draft would be based upon the resolutions of Conference telegraphed to you on the 29th of April last. I have, &c, J. Kilgoue, The Hon. the Minister for Public AVorks. Chairman of Conference.

Mr. J. Knowles to the Hon. Mr. Macandeew. Memorandum. 30th May, 1878. You have promised to introduce a special Act authorizing a company to construct line Thames to AVaikato. If you have not determined the provisions it might be well to let the Council prepare a draft. J. Knowles. Approved.—J. M., 31/5/78.

Mr. J. Knowles to the Chairman, County Council, Thames. (No. 2,435.) Sic, — AVellington, 2nd June, 1878. In reply to your letter of 13th May, in which you suggest that the Council should prepare a draft Bill authorizing the construction of the Thames-AVaikato Railway by a company, I am directed by the Hon. the Minister for Public AVorks to request that you will be good enough to do so as early as you conveniently can. The Chairman, County Council, Thames. J. Knowles. (Telegram to same effect).

Dr. James Kilgotje to the Hon. the Minister for Public Woeks. (Telegram.) Grahamstown, 3rd June, 1878. Geeatly surprised to learn, by this day's paper, that Thames County Council have been authorized to draft Bill for construction Thames A'alley Railway. AVhy is Committee ignored, with which alone you have had any authorized communications on this subject. James Kilgoue.

Mr. John Knowles to Dr. J. Kilgotje. (Telegram No. 1770.) 3rd June, 1878. In reply to your telegram of this date, I am directed by the Hon. the Minister for Public Works to explain that there was no intention to go outside the gentlemen with whom the Government have been in correspondence. On referring to your letter of the 13th May, the inadvertency by which the Council was communicated with is explained, your letter having been addressed from the Council Chambers. I will wire the Chairman of the County Council explaining the mistake. A formal letter will be sent to you requesting that the proposed draft Bill may be prepared. John Knowles.

Mr. J. Knowles to Dr. J. Kilgotje. (No. 2447.) Sic,— 3rd June, 1878. I am directed by the Hon. the Minister for Public AVorks to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th May relative to the proposed draft Bill, Thames and AVaikato Railway ; and, in reply, to inform you that the Minister approves of your suggestion that tho same should be prepared by the Conference Committee. I have, by wire, explained that, owing to your letter having been dated from the " Council Chamber," Thames, a reply was inadvertently sent to the Chairman of the County Council. I have, &c, Dr. J. Kilgour. J. Knowles.