PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE. EXPENDITURE ON MANGERE BRIDGE.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1875 Session I, I-02a

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1875. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE. EXPENDITURE ON MANGERE BRIDGE.

Resolution brought up, 29th September, 1875.

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of fhe Souse of Representatives. TnUESDAT, THE STH DAT OF AUGUST, 1875. Ordered, That it be an instruction to the Public Accounts Committee to inquire into the circumstances under which the cost of the Mangere Bridge was debited against the Vote for Roads and Works North of Auckland, and to report thereon specially to the House.-— (Mr. Sheehan.)

The Select Committee on Public Accounts have the honor to report the following RESOLUTION. That, in the opinion of this Committee, so much of the cost of the Mangerc Bridge as may have been charged against the sum of .€60,000 which the House, by Resolution on 7th November, 1871, allocated to Public Works in the districts North of Auckland, out of the £400,000 appropriated to roads in the North Island, was not properly so charged. Reader Wood, Committee Rooms, House of Representatives, Chairman. 29th September, 1875.

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MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. Monday, 19th August, 1875. Mr. John Sheehan, M.H.E., examined. 1. The Chairman.'] Will you be good enough to state what you know about thia matter ?—The instruction to the Committee is to inquire into the circumstances under which something like £16,000 was taken out of the vote for roads and works North of Auckland, and applied to the payment of the cost of construction of the Mangere bridge. I will state very shortly what took place in the House. There was a sum of £400,000 set apart for roads and works in the North Island, and the person (Mr. Farnall) who then represented the district which I now represent in Parliament, moved that £100,000 of the amount should be set aside specifically for the North of Auckland. After much discussion, it was agreed that £60,000 should be set apart for that purpose. A short time afterwards, £10,000 of the amount was placed at the disposal of the province, to be administered subject to the appropriation of the Council, and it was so administered. When Mr. T. B. Gillies went out of office as Superintendent, and Mr. Williamson came in, the latter gentleman applied for a second sum of £10,000, and he was informed by Mr. Vogel that the amount would be available. On the strength of that, a number of works were undertaken —some were actually under contract, and others were tendered for —when a communication was received from the Colonial Secretary (Dr. Pollen) to the effect that all works would have to be stopped; that the vote was exhausted, and that the Government would not be prepared to furnish the amount required to pay for them. That led to inquiries being made by the provincial authorities as to how the vote had become exhausted, because, although we had no precise information on the subject of the expenditure in the North Island, and though we knew that it had been very large, yet we did not think it was sufficient to swallow up the £60,00 in so short a time. The result of our inquiries was that we ascertained that the cost of constructing the bridge had been taken from that particular vote. I have here the whole of the papers from which I make my statement. The following telegram was sent to the Superintendent of Auckland (Mr. Williamson) by Mr. Vogel, on 16th December, 1873: —" The Native Minister telegraphs me that he finds, on careful inquiry, that an additional sum of £10,000 can be advantageously laid out in completion of work already commenced in that portion of the northern district between Auckland and Whangarei. He is therefore willing to intrust you with expenditure of that sum, subject to the same supervision as before." Dr. Pollen telegraphs; on 22nd May, 1574: — " Of the sum of £60,000 set apart for roads North of Auckland, £35,000 have been expended, and there are still portions of main roads, as that from the Bay of Islands to Hokianga, and from Mahurangi to Albertland, incomplete. I have therefore to request your Honor to be good enough not to enter into any engagement for expenditure out of the second sum of £ 10,000 placed in your charge until after the Session of the Assembly. Unless Parliament will supplement the vote of £400,000 for roads in the North Island, it will not be possible for the Government to meet ony other liabilities on this account, than those which are now known to have been incurred." The Superintendent telegraphed back protesting against the stoppage of the money. In the correspondence, which 1 shall leave for perusal by the Committee, no reference is made to the fact that the Mangere Bridge outlay had been charged. against the vote. When we found that the cost had been so charged, we telegraphed to the Colonial Secretary on September 7th, 1874, as follows: —" The vote is not really exhausted, but an apparent deficiency has been shown by debiting it with the cost of the Mangere Bridge, a work which was never meant to be charged against the £60,000 vote for works North of Auckland. I submit that Mr. Vogel's promise should be made good." On September Bth, Dr. Pollen replied: —" The Colonial Treasurer has had your telegram. He agrees with me that, because of the exhaustion of the vote, the proposal made in his telegram of 16th December cannot be carried out, and is also of opinion that after the intimation received from me, your Honor ought not to have entered into any further contracts or pecuniary engagements on that account. If your Honor desires it, the liabilities already incurred by you may be discharged out of the sum of £25,000 voted as a special allowance to the Province of Auckland for the current year, and if you will be good enough to forward the accounts duly certified to the Treasury here, they will be paid in due course and debited to the special allowance." I never heard the reason why the cost of the bridge was so charged until the other day, when Mr. Eichardson, in reply to a question put to him by me in the House, said that the cost was debited to the vote by arrangement with the provincial authorities of the Province of Auckland. I never before heard it even insinuated that the provincial authorities of Auckland have had a knowledge of the fact that the charge was made on the vote until it was actually made. At that time, and until Mr. Williamson took office, Mr. Gillies was Superintendent, and his Executive were myself, Mr. H. H. Lusk, and Mr. W. J. Hurst. Each of these was telegraphed to, and they replied as follows : —" During my term of office as member of the Provincial Executive, I never agreed to charge cost of Mangere Bridge to £60,000 for works North of Auckland, nor was I ever informed that it would be so charged.—W. .1. Hurst." " During my term of office as member of Provincial Executive, I never agreed to charge cost of Mangere Bridge to vote for works North of Auckland, nor was such a proposal ever made by the Colonial Government within my knowledge.—Hugh H. Lusk."' "Neither I nor my Executive ever agreed to the Mangere Bridge being so charged, nor was such a suggestion ever made, either verbally or in writing, by any member or officer of the General Government. —T. B. Gillies." As the remaining member of that Executive, I may state that I did not agree to that charge being made, and, although my honorable friend Mr. Richardson has mentioned in the House that he spoke to me on the subject during a journey to Kaipara, I must say that I have no recollection whatever of'having been spoken to on the subject. He may have mentioned the matter to me, but I have no recollecfion of his doing so, and certainly would never have agreed to it.

Mr. J. Sheehan, M.H.E.

19th Aug., 1875.

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2. Mr. J. Shephard.'] The allocation of this £60,000 was simply by a resolution of the House ? — Yes ; it was not an arrangement with the Provincial Government at all, but a resolution agreed to in the House between the Government and the members of the House. I submit to the Committee that if such an arrangement had been made with the province it would not be binding, because it would be a breach of faith with the members who represent the North of Auckland in this House. So far as I recollect the matter, I was opposed to the construction of the bridge, and when the question came before the Provincial Council 1 moved the adjournment of the proposal, but the majority were against me, and the resolution was carried and seat up to the General Government, with a request that the Minister for Public Works would undertake the work. The correspondence is very complete on the subject, and, if I recollect right, the negotiations took place mainly with the Hon. Mr. O'Eorke, who was then a member of the Government. He was in Auckland at the time, and it was in his presence, I think, that the Superintendent and the Provincial Government finally agreed to ask that the work should be undertaken on these terms. Nothing further of an executive choracter took place until the time came for the acceptance of tenders, when, the amount of the tender being in excess of the Government estimate, we were called upon to say whether we agreed to the works being gone on with at the increased price. The Provincial Government of Auckland would never have consented to have the thing done in that way; rather than do so, they would have refused to agree to the work being done at all. 3. Mr. Pearce.~\ When did the Provincial Government first get notice that the charge was made on that vote ? —They never did get notice of it. 4. When did you discover it ?—During the last session, by a return laid on the table. 5. Why did you not take exception to it then?—lt was at the close of the session. 6. Have you had any correspondence since then with the Government about it ? —Tes ; I have just read a portion of it. I wish the Committee and Mr. Richardson to understand that Ido not absolutely deny that Mr. Richardson spoke to me in regard to this matter on the voyage to Kaipara, but I do say that I have not the faintest recollection of it. Even if he did so —if casual statements of that kind made in the course of a journey are to be treated as official communications, and binding on the party —it is entirely a new way of doing business. It could have no legal effect whatever. 7. Then you hold that that expenditure was not properly charged against that vote ?—I do not think the Minister for Public Works could dispute that, unless it was shown that there was consent to allow the amount to be taken for the Mangere Bridge out of the vote for works North of Auckland. Without such consent the charge would be an improper one. It would be both geographically and politically incorrect. 8. Mr. J. Shephard^] But so far as I understand you, the vote of £400,000 is for roads in the North Island. The resolution of the House is to the effect that £60,000 of it may be allocated to roads North of Auckland, but there is no distinct appropriation with regard to it ?—No. 9. As a matter of account, in charging this sum, there was nothing on the face of the Immigration and Public Works Act to prevent it being so charged ?—lf the Committee think so, I have nothing more to say. 10. As a question of account, the Treasury or Audit must charge it to the £400,000 vote wherever it was expended. I mean that there was no separation of the £400,000 in their accounts ? — Not necessarily. Under the arrangement the £60,000 would be accounted for separately. The Hon. E. Richardson, Minister for Public Works, examined. 11. The Chairman.] Will you state what you know concerning the money which had been t expended in constructing the Mangere Bridge ? —I have very little to say in regard to this matter, beyond that, when I took office, I found that a pledge had been given by the General Government that the bridge should be constructed. Before the plans were ready I was in Auckland, and made it my - 1 business to visit this spot. I visited it, I think, on the very day on which I arrived in Auckland, but previously I had had an interview with the then Superintendent, and, among other things, he spoke to me about this bridge. I told him that there was no specific appropriation for the work, and that it would have to be paid for out of the vote. No exception was taken to this, and nothing further was said about it at the time, but a day or two afterwards I was in company with Mr. Sheehan, and we were talking about the various roads and bridges that had been made with the money, and this led up to a conversation on the subject of the Mangere Bridge. I made to Mr. Sheehan a statement similar to that which I had made to the Superintendent, and he raised no objection. Of that lam perfectly certain. From the moment the expenditure began on that bridge, it has been shown twice —in the two statements of accounts that have been made —and no exception has been taken to it until the last Session, when Mr. Gillies referred to it, and caused a rather unpleasant discussion. I have no hesitation in saying that I intimated, both to the Superintendent of Auckland and to Mr. Sheehan, that the bridge would have to be paid for out of the £60,000. If any question had been raised concerning it, I should have been only too glad to have stopped the work. Neither the Superintendent nor Mr. Sheehan disapproved of the way in which the bridge was to be paid for. I knew, however, that the Superintendent was against it, and I wanted, in the telegrams, to give him a chance to disapprove of it. 12. Mr. Curtis.'] Was not the vote of £400,000 a fund to which the cost of works north of Auckland might have been charged ? —Tes. 13. Is it not possible that the Superintendent did not understand that the cost was to come out of the £60,000, but that he might have been under the impression that it was to come out of the vote for works in the North Island? —It is possible that he may have taken that view. It may be explained in that way, but in our conversation previously I had said that I considered the North of Auckland had alreadv received more than a fair proportion of the whole sum. 14. I noticed that you used the expression "to the vote " ? —lt was dealt with by us in the department as if it were a vote of the House. We considered it one sum. There was no specific appropriation. It was a lump sum of £60,000, set apart out of the £400,000.

Mr. J. Sheehan, M.S.B.

19th Aug., 1875.

Bon. E. Eichardson, M.S.E.

19th Aug., 1875.

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Mr. G. M.

Mr. G. M. O'Eobke, M.H.E., examined. 15. The Chairman.'] The Committee is engaged on the subject of the Mangere Bridge, with reference to the charge which has been made by the Government against the vote of £60,000 to be expended in the North of Auckland. Are you aware whether it was the intention of the Government, in the first instance, to charge the cost of that bridge against the particular £60,000 set apart for roads and works North of Auckland ?—I never heard that it was the intention of the Government so to charge it until after last Session, when I went to Auckland. IG. You were a member of the Government at the time that the work was entered into ? —Tes, and I took a great deal of interest in the carrying out of the work. 17. Did you ever suggest to the Government what vote it should be charged against ?—The resolution of the Provincial Council was that it should be charged against the £-100,000 set apart for roads in the North Island, under "The Public Works and Immigration Act, 1870," and this resolution was submitted to the General Government, and I, as member for Onehunga, urged the Government of the day to accede to the wishes of the Council, and they finally determined that the work should be undertaken. That was before the present Government came into office. 18. Then you understood it was to be charged against the £340,000 which would remain of the vote of £400,000, after the £60,000 set apart for roads and works for the North of Auckland had been deducted ? —Tes. 19. Is there any record of that arrangement to be found in the Public Works Office ?—The only record is the resolution of the Provincial Council. (The resolution as appended was then read.) 20. Is that the resolution you refer to ? —Tes. 21. Mr. Pearce.] Had that resolution been passed by the House, to the effect that £60,000 of the £400,000 should be expended north of Auckland, when the resolution of the Council was passed ? — Tes. 22 Then it was clearly understood by tte Council that the cost of the bridge was not to be charged to that sum ? —Tes ; such a thing was never contemplated. I speak from personal knowledge, because I drew up the resolution myself. 23. Was the work commenced before you left office?—Tes ; while I was in office I was resident in Auckland, and I had to communicate with the Provincial Government, at the request of my colleagues, about inviting tenders ; but I never gave any intimation to the provincial authorities, nor received any intimation from my colleagues, that the cost of the work would be charged to the £60,000. 24. Then you are not aware that the Superintendent and Provincial Secretary of Auckland had been told by Mr. Eichardson that it would be so charged?—No, I am not aware of that. 25. Mr. J. Shephard.] Did you become aware of the fact before you left office ? —No, not till afterwards. The work was authorized during the Premiership of Mr. Waterhouse, who was at that time also acting as Colonial Treasurer, during Sir Julius Vogel's absence in Australia. Mr. Eeynolds also was absent at the time. He might be able to give you information as to how it was intended to be charged. 26. Son. Major Atkinson.] Had Ministers never decided how it was to be charged ?—Never, except out of the £400,000. The following is a Cabinet minute having reference to the subject:— " In Cabinet, February 20th, 1873. —Tenders for Mangere Bridge. —The tenders being all in excess of the Engineer's estimate, it was decided to accept the lowest, but subject only to a recommendation in its favour from the Superintendent and Executive of the province ; the necessary Proclamation to be issued prior to the commencement of the work." I have a distinct recollection that the Minister for Public Works would not undertake it without the concurrence of the provincial authorities of Auckland. 27. Tou have no recollection of any difficulty as to where the cost was to be charged if they had agreed to it. —No ; I certainly never expected it was to be charged against the £60,000 set apart for roads and works North of Auckland.

o'B,orTce,M.B.n.

19th Aug. , 1875

APPENDIX-MANGERE BRIDGE. The following Papers were handed in by Mr. John Sheehan, M.H.E., during his examination, 19th August, 1875. [Extract from the Journals of the Auckland Provincial Council, Session XX.VII., 30th Noveinher, 1871.] Sesolved —" That, in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable, in order that the district of Mangere should be benefited by the proposed railway to Onehunga, that a bridge should be erected connecting the two places. " That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to recommend the General Government to undertake this work under the scheme of public works sanctioned by ' The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870'; and to inform them that this Council approves of a toll being levied for the use of the bridge, to meet the interest and sinking fund on the cost of the construction, and that this Council will provide out of the provincial revenue any deficiency that may arise in the requisite amount of such interest and sinking fund. " That this Council respectfully requests his Honor to negotiate with the General Government on the above terms, or such other terms as he may think fit, for the immediate commencement of the work; and, further, this Council requests His Honor to co-operate, as far as it is in his power, in carrying out the work."

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The Hon. W. Gisboene to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 26th July, 1872. I have the honor to inform you that the Government have received a memorial signed by several residents of Onehunga, requesting that a bridge may be erected to connect the district of Mangerewith Onehunga and the Waikato Kaihvay, and stating that the Provincial Council have passed a resolution to provide out of provincial revenue the interest and sinking fund on the cost of its erection. I shall be obliged by your Honor informing me whether you desire this bridge shall be constructed, and whether you will provide the interest and sinking fund on the cost out of provincial revenue. The Government would prefer that this mode should be adopted, and that if tolls are exacted they shall be received by the Provincial Government to recoup the amount contributed out of provincial revenue. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. W. Gisbobne. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretaet. Sie,— Wellington, 26th July, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of yours of this date relative to Mangere and Onehunga Bridge. In reply, I have the honor to inform you that the Provincial Council, at its last session, passed a resolution to provide out of provincial revenue the interest and sinking fund on the cost of its erection, and that it is a work which I believe would be beneficial to the Mangere and Ihumata Districts, as well as prove a feeder to the Onehunga and Auckland Railway now in progress. I have, &c, Thomas B. Gillies, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent. His Honor the S upeeintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sie, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 12th November, 1872. Referring to the Colonial Secretary's letter of 26th July last, No. 235, and my reply of same date, relative to the erection of Mangere Bridge, I have the honor to request that you will inform me whether your Government propose to proceed with that work, and if any and what steps have been taken towards that end, as the Provincial Government have to make provision for the interest and sinking fund on the cost of erection. . I have to submit to you that the Provincial Government should be kept advised of the steps taken in the matter by the Public Works Department; and, in fact, that they should have the approval and practical supervision of the work. As the Provincial Council meets next week, and will no doubt require information on the above matter, 1 shall feel obliged by an early reply. I have, Ac, Thomas B. Gillies, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Sie, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 3rd December, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th November, in which you request to be informed of the intentions of the Government in reference to the erection of the "Mangere Bridge, and, in reply, to inform your Honor that the plans and specifications are now complete, and tenders will be called for the erection of the bridge almost immediately. Before doing so, however, the District Engineer, to whom the plans and specifications are about to be sent, will be instructed to submit them for your Honor's inspection. I shall be obliged by your Honor communicating to Mr. O'Rorke any suggestions or observations. you may desire to make thereon. I have, &c, G. M. Waterhouse, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (for the Colonial Secretary). The Hon. Mr. Richardson to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (No. 2141.) Government Buildings, 12th December, 1872. Letter written you sth December still here in post, stating plans and specifications for Mangere Bridge complete, ready to call for tenders. Will be sent for your inspection by first opportunity. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Edward Richaedson. The Hon. G. M. O'Rorke to the Provincial Secretary, Auckland. Sib, — General Government Buildings, 7th January, 1873. I submit the plans and specifications of the proposed bridge at Mangere, with regard to which I had a consultation with his Honor the Superintendent a day or so before he left town. His Honor requested me to ascertain the probable cost of the bridge, and whether totara piles would not be preferable to jarrah piles. The telegram I received in reply is enclosed. The estimated cost of the bridge being much lower than what his Honor and I thought it would be, I have to request that the Provincial Government will now approve of my having tenders for the work called for. I have, &c, The Provincial Secretary, Auckland. G. Maueice O'Roeke. 2—l 2a.

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The Hon. E. Eichaedson to the Hon. G-. M. O'Bobke. Government Buildings, 6th January, 1873. Estimated cost of Mangere Bridge and approaches about twelve thousand five hundred pounds. Jarrah timber selected for piles as bridge is important permanent colonial work, and totara piles are not considered nearly so durable where continually exposed to action of sea water. The Hon. G. M. O'Eorke, Auckland. Edwaed Eichaedson. Mr. Lusk to the Hon. G. M. O'Eoeee. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 7th January, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, submitting plans and specifications (returned herewith) of the proposed Mangere Bridge. The Provincial Government are of opinion that, under the circumstances, tenders for this work ehould be called for without delay. I have, &c, The Hon. G. M. O'Eorke, Hugh H. Lusk, Minister of Lands, Auckland. (for the Superintendent.) The Hon. E. Eichabdson to His Honor the Supebintendent, Auckland. (No. 358.) Government Buildings, 25th February, 1875. Substantial tender from Danaher and Lanigan for fourteen thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven pounds, being about one thousand five hundred above Engineer's detail estimate. Before accepting should like to have your opinion. Please reply early. Edwaed Eiciiaedson, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (for Colonial Secretary.) His Honor the Supebintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. (Telegram.) Auckland, 25th February, 1873. lam no judge of the cost of such works. Cannot therefore form an opinion. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Thomas B. Gillies, (for Minister for Public "Works, "Wellington.) Superintendent. The Hon. E. Eichaedson to His Honor the Supebintendent, Auckland. Wellington, 26th February, 1873. Although tender for Mangere Bridge is fifteen hundred pounds in excess of Engineer's estimate, the Government are willing to accept if you and your Executive approve of the expenditure. His Honor T. B. Gillies, Auckland. Edwaed Eichabdson. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. E. Eichaedson. (Telegram.) Auckland, 27th February, 1873. Mangebe Beidge.—All my Executive absent. I cannot take the responsibility of approval or disapproval. I will give every information and assistance to enable you to form- a correct judgment, but cannot accept responsibility of performance or stoppage of work. The Hon. Edward Eichardson, Thomas B. Gillies, Minister for Public "Works, "Wellington. Superintendent. The Hon. E. Eichaedson to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland. Government Buildings, 28th February, 1873. The General Government have called for tenders for this bridge on the expressed wish of the provin cial authorities. The lowest tender is about fifteen thousand pounds. Do you and your Executive approve of this tender being accepted ? Please reply early, to enable us to inform tenderers. His Honor T. B. Gillies, Auckland. Edwaed Eichaedson. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. E. Eichaedson. (Telegram.) Auckland, Ist March, 1873. So soon as I can get a meeting of my Executive will reply. Probably within a week or ten days. Thomas B. Gillies, The Hon. E. Eichardson, Wellington. Superintendent. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. E. Eichaedson. (Telegram.) Auckland, 3rd March, 1873. Mangeee Bbidge.—What difference in cost by substituting totara for jarrah? Am satisfied best qualities of one equal to best qualities of other, and inferior qualities of jarrah far inferior to totara. Thomas B. Gillies, The Hon. E. Eichardson, Wellington. Superintendent.

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The Hon. E. Richabdson to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland. Wellington, 4th March, 1873. In reply to 212, Mangere Bridge, judging by schedule of prices attached to tender under consideration, the difference between jarrah and totara will, at outside, be five hundred pounds. Tender was locked up yesterday, public holiday, or I would have replied earlier. His Honor T. B. Gillies, Auckland. Edwaed Richardson. The Hon. E. Richaedson to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Government Buildings, Wellington, 6th March, 1873. Resolution passed at public meeting at Otahuhu, on 19th February, received, stating that in opinion of meeting it is imperatively necessary that a drawbridge should be provided for the passage of vessels through above bridge. If this be the case heavy additional expense will be involved. Does the traffic by water warrant it being incurred ? His Honor T. B. Gillies, Auckland. Edwaed Richaedson. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. E. Richabdson. (Telegram.) Auckland, 7th March, 1873. My Executive advise that tender Mangere Bridge be accepted; also, that there is no need for drawbridge. Thomas B. Gillies, The Hon. E. Richardson, Wellington. Superintendent. The Hon. J. Bathgate to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland. Sie,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 19th March, 1873. I have the honor to forward a slip of successful and unsuccessful tenderers for certain public works, and shall feel obliged if your Honor will cause it to be printed in the Provincial Gazette, as required by the 15th section of the Railways Act of last Session. I have, <fec, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. John Bathgate. Tenders. Public Works Office, Wellington, 17th March, 1873. The following lists of successful and unsuccessful tenderers are published for general information. Edwaed Richaedson. * # # # # Mangeee Beidge, Auckland. Accepted. £ s. d. Danaher and Lauigan, Auckland ... ... ... ... 14,997 0 0 Declined. Jerome Cadman, Auckland ... ... ... ... 15,000 0 0 John Briton, Auckland ... ... ... ... < i7fioo 0 0 Hy. Wrigg, Auckland ... ... ... ... 18'220 2 9 John Taylor, Auckland ... ... ... ... 19,633 0 0 R. C. Jordan, Tauranga ... ... ... ... 20,925 0 0 Albert Walker and Co., Auckland ... ... ... ... 23,493 16 10 Wm. Coombes and Co., Auckland ... ... ... ... 24,230 13 10 # # # * # Mr. Lusk to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaby. Sie, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 26th March, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 79, dated the 19th instant, and to state that the list of tenders for the Mangere Bridge will be published in the next issue of the • Provincial Government Gazette. I have, &c, Hugh H. Luse, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. (for the Superintendent). Mr. Codlin to His Honor the Supehintendent, Auckland. Sie,— Onehunga, 12th January, 1875. I have the honor, by direction of the Town of Onehunga District Board, to inquire, for the guidance of this Board and the Mangere District Board, whether it is the intention of your Honor to have any ceremony on the completion and opening of the Mangere Bridge. This Board and the Mangere Board do not wish this event to pass over quite quietly, and therefore ask the above question, that they may unite in anything your Honor may propose to do, or suggest. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. G. Codlin, Chairman.

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His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to Mr. Codlin. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 14th January, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant, inquiring whether it is my intention to have any ceremony on the completion and opening of the Mangere Bridge, and intimating the opinion of your Board, as also of the Mangere District Board, that the occasion should not be allowed to pass by without some special observance, and your willingness to co-operate for that purpose. I beg to assure you that I shall be glad to join with the local authorities in any suitable demonstration which you may deem to be desirable in order to mark the event. I have to add, however, that, inasmuch as the work has been carried on under the direction of the Colonial and not of the Provincial Government, I do not consider that it would be proper for me to take the initiative in the matter of opening the bridge. I have, &c, J. Williamson, The Chairman of the Town of Onehunga District Board, Superintendent. Onehunga.

Correspondence relative to the £60,000 Vote for Koads and Works North of Auckland. [As laid before the Auckland Provincial Council, Session XXX., 1875.] His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. J. Vogel. (Telegram.) Auckland, 2nd December, 1873. Will the supervision of construction of roads and works north of Auckland be intrusted to me for the ensuing year on terms same as to my predecessor this year ? If so, at least the sum of £10,000 should be authorized, especially as it will now devolve on me to provide for location of immigrants expected to arrive on new block of land. This arrangement would not interfere with Mr. McLean's and Katene's expenditure north of Bay of Islands. J. Williamson, The Hon. J. Vogel, Christchurch. Superintendent. The Hon. J. Vogel to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 3rd December, 1874 Will reply to telegram re supervision North Auckland works after communicating with McLean. Settlement of immigrants will arrange with you separately. Doubt much whether Farnall scheme will come to anything. His Honor John Williamson, Esq., Auckland. Julius Vogel. His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland to the Hon. J. Vogel. (Telegram.) Auckland, 11th December, 1873. When may I expect a reply about £10,000 for roads and works North ? Provincial Council meets next Tuesday. J. Williamson, The Hon. the Premier, Christchurch. Superintendent. The Hon. J. Vogel to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 16th December, 1873. The Native Minister telegraphs me that an additional sum of ten thousand pounds can be advantageously laid out in completion of work already commenced in that portion of the northern district between Auckland and Whangarei. He is therefore willing to entrust you with expenditure of that sum, subject to the same supervision as before. His Honor J. Williamson, Auckland. Julius Vogel. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. 284 (Telegram.) Government Buildings, Wellington, 22nd May, 1874. Of the sum of sixty thousand pounds (£60,000) set apart for roads north of Auckland, fifty-two thousand pounds (£52,000) have been expended, and there are still portions of main road, as that from the Bay of Islands to Hokianga, and from Mahurangi to Albertland, incomplete. I have therefore to request your Honor to be good enough not to enter into any engagement for expenditure out of the second sum of ten thousand placed in your charge until after the Session of the Assembly. Unless Parliament shall supplement the vote of four hundred thousand pounds (£400,000) for roads in the North Island, it will not be possible for the Government to meet any other liablities on this account than those which are now known to have been incurred. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Daniel Pollen.

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His Honor the Supebintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Secbetabt 1703 (Telegram.) Auckland, 28th May, 1874. JRe your telegram No. 284, of 22nd instant. —The whole amount of ten thousand pounds placed at the disposal of the Superintendent for expenditure on roads and works north of Auckland has been already appropriated or pledged, but the contracts will not be completed, nor the money required, before a supplementary vote can be taken for roads in the North Island. I am now asking the Council to provide for many necessary works north of Auckland, additional to the works undertaken and being carried on by means of the General Assembly vote of sixty thousand pounds. Copy of Mr. Allright's report on this subject will be forwarded by first mail. J. Williamson, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. 1703 Sie, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 28th May, 1874. Adverting to my telegram of this date, in reply to yours of the 22nd instant, I have the honor to transmit, for your information, the enclosed copy of Mr. Allright's report upon the liabilities already incurred in respect of the ten thousand pounds (£10,000) fo;- roads and works north of Auckland. I have, &c, J. Williamson, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent. Mr. Allbight to His Honor the Supebintendent, Auckland. Sib,— Public Works Office, Auckland, 22nd May, 1874. Referring to your Honor's minute on the telegram attached, I have the honor to inform you that the whole amount of the sum of £10,000 placed at your disposal this year by the General Government for roads and works north of Auckland has been appropriated, and pledges given that works will be executed which will absorb nearly the whole sum. The liabilities already existing are as follow:— £ s. d. Works contracted for and reported ... ... ... ... 695 19 0 Surveys and workmen, about ... ... ... ... 120 0 0 Tenders invited to come in on Ist and 15th June: — Section No. I.—Bridge over Kaukapakapa Creek, estimated to cost ... 425 0 0 Section No. 3. —Bridges and clearing, Komokoriki Road, estimated at 475 0 0 Section No. 5. —Clearing and forming Omaha and Matakana Road, estimated to cost ... ... ... ... ... 427 0 0 Section No. 6.—Culverts, cutting and forming Matakohe Road, estimated to cost ... ... ... ... ... 62 0 0 Section No. 6.—Mangawai and Waipu Road, estimated to cost ... 449 0 0 Section No. 7. —Bridge over east branch Waipu River, estimated to cost ... ... ... ... ... ... 264 0 0 Section No. 11.—Cutting and forming road from Whangarei Heads toWhangarei ... ... ... ... ... ... 420 0 0 £3,337 19 0 The contractors for the above works will require monthly payments as- the works proceed, at the rate of about £300 per month. If it is your Honor's wish, the other works promised in the various settlements can stand over until after the meeting of Parliament. I have, &c, , H. Alleight, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. District Engineer. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland. Sie,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 23rd June, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 1703, of date 28th May, covering copy of Mr. Allright's report upon the liabilities already incurred in respect of the ten thousand pounds for roads and bridges north of Auckland. The liabilities reported as already existing, amounting to six hundred and ninety-five pounds nineteen shillings for works contracted for, and about one hundred and twenty pounds for surveys, will be provided for, and the accounts be paid when presented in the usual course. The works for which tenders had been invited to come in on the Ist and 15th instant cannot of course be regarded as liabilities, and as your Honor had been advised on the 22nd May that the vote of £60,000 for roads north of Auckland had been expended, or covered by existing liabilities, I assume that you have not accepted any of the tenders received on the days above mentioned. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Daniel Pollen. 3—l. 2a.

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His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. Dr. Pollen. 2223 (Telegram.) Auckland, 7th September, 1874. JRe payment of accounts for works in progress under £10,000 vote. —I ask you to sanction the payment of these accounts, as the contractors are sorely pressed for money. The expenditure of a sum of ten thousand pounds this year was clearly committed to me by the Hon. Mr. Vogel's telegram of 16th December last, dated at Dunedin. That telegram was as follows : — " The Native Minister finds on careful inquiry that an additional sum of ten thousand pounds can be advantageously laid out in completion of works already commenced in that portion of the northern district between A uckland and Whangarei. He is, therefore, willing to entrust you with the expenditure of that sum, subject to the same supervision as before." Immediately on receipt of this telegram I instructed Mr. Allright to prepare a scheme of works to the extent authorized, which works, having been duly approved by the Provincial Council, were taken in hand from time to time, as circumstances enabled us to proceed with them, and on my visit to various northern settlements in the early part of the year, relying on the promise of the Colonial Government, I informed the settlers that this money would be available, and promised that with it certain trunk roads and bridges should be carried out. Mr. Vogel's telegram clearly empowered me to expend ten thousand pounds. The vote is not really exhausted, but an apparent deficiency is shown by debiting it with the cost of Mangere Bridge, a work which was never meant to be charged against the £60,000 vote for works north of Auckland. I submit that Mr. Vogel's promise should be made good, and the ten thousand pounds placed at my disposal, so that faith may be kept with me, and I may be enabled to keep faith with the country settlers. In reference more particularly to your letter of 23rd June, I may explain that tenders had actually been invited and received for those works for which you questioned the liability; and that those very works were subsequently enumerated by the Hon. Mr. Kichardson, in his Public Works Statement to the House, as liabilities and works in progress. I shall feel obliged if you will submit this telegram to the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer for his perusal. J. Williamson, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, Bth September, 1874. The Colonial Treasurer has had your telegram. He agrees with me that, because of the exhaustion of the vote, the proposal made in his telegram of 16th December cannot be carried out, and is also of opinion that, after the intimation received from me, your Honor ought not to have entered into any further contracts or pecuniary engagements on that account. If your Honor desires it, the liabilities already incurred by you may be discharged out of the sum of twenty-five thousand pounds voted as a special allowance to the Province of Auckland for the current year; and if you will be good enough to forward the accounts, duly certified, to the Treasury here, they will be paid in due course and debited to the special allowance. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Daniel Pollen. By Authority : George Dibsbuet, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7s.