D.—No. 2

CORRESPONDENCE AS TO ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE.

No. 1. Copy of a Letter from Mr. James Osgood to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Empire Hotel, Wellington, Sic,— 19th October, 1867. Having heard with great regret that during the past Session of the General Assembly the House Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the manner of my conducting Bellamy's, I can only say that, had there been any complaint made to me personally, I should have done my best to rectify matters. I have also heard that the Committee complained of the wines supplied by me ; now, in order to justify myself on this head, I must inform you, that the Committee appointed certain of its members, to visit, in company with myself, the stores of the principal merchants in this city, and that the wines then chosen by them were the same as I supplied to Bellamy during the whole of the Session. In order, however, to guard against any similar cause of complaint during the coming Session, if you should be pleased to again appoint me as conductor of Bellamy's, I am prepared to undertake to select from the Home market wines of the best quality, or will allow yourself, or any other experienced judge you may be pleased to appoint, to order such brands of wines as you may approve, I guaranteeing to take the wines ordered by you, whether the House Committee to be appointed next Session shall approve of mo as such conductor or not; trusting that the House will take into consideration the advisability of having one or more of the members of the Committee gentlemen who are judges of wine. Memorandum. —I would suggest that a book for general suggestions be kept in Bellamy's; and had this been done last Session, all complaints would have been avoided. Trusting that you will give this letter your favourable consideration, and let me have an early reply. I have, &c, The Hon. E. W. Stafford. James Osgood.

No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Gisboeise to Mr. Jaites Osgood. Colonial Secretary's Office, Snt,— 28th October, 1867. I am directed by Mr. Stafford to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant on the subject of the refreshments supplied by you at Bellamy's, in the General Assembly Building, during the recent Session, and in reply, to state that the Executive Government does not interfere with and has no control over the arrangements at Bellamy's, and that your letter should be addressed either to the Honorable the Speaker of the Legislative Council, or of the House of Representatives, under whose authority wines, &c, are sold in the General Assembly Building during the Session. I have, &c, James Osgood, Esq., Empire Hotel. W. Gisbobste.

No. 3. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Sir D. Mojtbo to the Hon. E. W. Staffoed. Snt,— Nelson, 29th October, 1867. I do myself the honor to enclose a letter I have received from James Osgood relative to proposed arrangements for Bellamy's for a future Session. I have informed Mr. Osgood that the appointment of caterer for Bellamy's does not rest with me, and that I presume the Colonial Secretary is the proper officer to apply to. I have, &c, D. Mok.ro, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Speaker, House of Representatives.

Enclosure in No. 8. Copy of a Letter from Mr. James Osgoob to the Hon. Sir I). Moimo. Empire Hotel, Wellington, Sic,— 21st October, 18G7. I have written to Mr. Stafford upon the subject of the complaints made during the past Session against the manner in which I conducted Bellamy's, and particularly as to the wines supplied by me, and I have suggested to him that if you again appoint me as conductor I should allow him to order such brands of wines as he might think would suit the taste of Members, I guaranteeing to