H.—2b.

4

No. 16. Mr. Allison D. Smith to Mr. C. Y. O'Connor. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 15th July, 1880. As lam acting as your officer iv the matter of new building at Addington my telegram is official. At the same time Stores Manager received telegram from Commissioner this morning reversing his previous decision, Allison D. Smith, District Locomotive Superintendent.

No. 17. Mr. Conteks to the Stoees Manager, Christchurch. (Telegram.) Wellington, 14th July, 1880. Let the contractors supply iron for the buildings at Addington. In future, if any article is wanted through stores, either for Public Works or other Government department, you are to call upon railway contractor for supply. ¥m. Conyees. Locomotive Engineer. —Please note. Storekeeper has been instructed,—E. Oaeeow. —13/7/80. Noted—E. Teiggs (for L.5.).—15/7/80.

No. 18. Mr. E. Carrow to the Storekeeper, Christchurch. Supply of Stores by Contractors. The Storekeeper, Christchurch. I nAVE the honor to inform you that I have received instructions from Mr. Conyers (by telegram from Wellington, dated 14th instant) that the contractors are to be called upon to supply any article which may be wanted through the stores, either for Public Works or other Government department. Please, therefore, call upon contractors to deliver corrugated iron and fire-bricks lately ordered by you without any further delay, and remind Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach that the water-piping for Orari is expected by the middle of December next, at latest. E. Carrow, 15th July, 1880. Stores Manager,

No. 19. Memorandum for Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach, Christchurch, by Mr. W. V. Stevens. I have been directed to call upon you to supply the galvanized iron (corrugated) required by my order No. S/4/322 of 18th June last, within forty-eight hours if possible. Please have it delivered at the crane, and consigned to Mr. Elhs, workshops, at Addington. Walter V. Stevens, Christchurch, 15th July, 1880. Storekeeper.

No. 20. Memorandum for Stores Manager, Christchurch, by Mr. W. V. Stevens. In re Order for Galvanized Iron. I have the honor to inform you that, in accordance with directions contained in your memorandum No. 80/4/173 of 15th instant, I wrote to Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach requesting them to supply the galvanized corrugated iron under order, in terms of your letter above-mentioned, giving them fortyeight hours to make such delivery. They, however, still refuse to do so. I enclose herewith their reply to my letter, and await your further instructions. The iron is urgently required. Walter V. Stevens, Stores Department, Christchurch, 19th July, 1880. Storekeeper.

Forwarded for Commissioner's approval to purchase at 30s. at contractors' risk, and telegram also. —22/7/80.

Enclosure in No. 20. Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach to Mr. W. V. Stevens. Dear Sir, — Christchurch, 17th July, 1880. In reply to your memorandum No. 730/80 we have to explain that the order referred to has been addressed to us in error, as we have no contract to supply the Government public works with material. Our contract is simply and solely for railway stores requirements, which are presumedly required from time to time by that department for repairs to the railway plant and machinery; and we are informed that Mr. Conyers has already instructed that the work for which this material is required is uot of the character provided for by the contract. We have further to submit that the galvanized iron is intended for some Government workshops, which description of work has until lately been invariably carried out by and under the supervision of the Public Works Department. In tendering, then, contractors could have had no conception of being called upon to supply material required for works foreign to the contract, as, until the last fewmonths, public tenders have invariably been called for such new works of construction, and the successful tenderer has invariably had to supply his own material.