A.—2,

16

being too large for a lever-press, with the seal and counters properly fitted to it. I have, therefore, included the mention of a suitable press in my estimate. Awaiting the favour of your Lordship's commands, I have, &c, Alfked B. Wyon, Chief Engraver of Her Majesty's Seals. The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley, &c, &c, &c.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 27 287, Regent Street, London, W., and 2, Langham Chambers, Portland Place, W., 26th June, 1880. Estimate for engraving a seal of steel, with the device of the present seal £ s. d. of the Government of the Colony of New Zealand . 63 0 0 Suitable screw-press 16 16 0 Four copper counters fitted to seal and press . 5 5 0 Box for holding seal and counters when not in use, secured by two locks 5 5 0 Packing, if required, extra. £90 6 0

Enclosure 3 in No. 27 The Colonial Office to Mr Wyon Sir, — Downing Street, Ist July, 1880. I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th of June, furnishing an estimate of the cost of engraving a new seal of steel for the Government of New Zealand. I am to state that the estimate of £90 6s. for the new seal, press, &c, appears to the Secretary of State to be in excess of those previously furnished by you, and I am to request to be informed why the seal, &c, for New Zealand should cost so much more than seals supplied for the Governments of other colonies in similar circumstances, especially as no fresh device is required I am, &c, A. B. Wyon, Esq John Bramston

Enclosure 4 in No. 27. Mr. Wyon to the Colonial Office. 287, Regent Street, London, W., and My Lord, — 2, Langham Chambers, Portland Place, W., sth July, 1880. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from the Colonial Office of the Ist instant, respecting my estimate of the 26th June. In reply, I beg to state that the price for engraving a seal depends altogether upon the character of the design adopted. In the seal for New Zealand the design requires work of greater care and skill than that which has been necessary in seals after many designs which have been adopted of late. But my present estimate for the steel seal now required is the same (within sixpence) as the sum paid for the seal for the Government of New Zealand prepared by my late father in 1848, and forwarded to the colony (apparently) in 1852. The price in 1848 included £10 10s. 6d. for the making of the silver seal, as distinct from the engraving, but this difference is more than compensated by the greater hardness of the metal (steel) in which the seal is now required, necessitating longer time in the engraving. To this must be added the risk of fracture in hardening the seal and making the counters, which risk I undertake; and the generally increased cost of artistic labour now, as compared with that of thirty-two years ago. My estimate for the press is precisely the same as in former instances, when presses of the same size have been supplied. The other items are lower than in former cases. Hoping that this statement will prove entirely satisfactory to your Lordship, I have, &c, Alfred B. Wyon, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley, &c. Chief Engraver of H. M. Seals.

Enclosure 5 in No. 27 The Colonial Office to the Agent-General for New Zealand. Sir,— Downing Street, 9th July, 1880. I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you a copy of a despatch (No. 34 ; of 22nd April, 1880) from the Governor of New Zealand, intimating the wish of his Govern-