11

E.—3,

No. 27. Memorandum No. 29, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. In the cablegram received from you on the Bth May, you say "My telegram, 10th January, that 135 miles rails had been shipped up to end of December, correct. Unfair that Government, in possession of that telegram, should lead Colony to believe that less than half that quantity shipped." While Ido not think it right that these statements should remain unnoticed, I trust it is only necessary to refer you to my Memoranda of the 12th February, No. 3, 1873, and of the 14th March, No. 11, 1873, to satisfy you that your calculation of mileage is based on shipments in the Docks at London, and mine on such advices of shipments as had been received in the Colony. The latter of the two statements above quoted is so evidently written under a misapprehension, that I am sure I need not attempt to reply to it. Edward Richardson. Public Works Office, Wellington, 3rd June, 1873.

No. 28. Memorandum No. 30, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. I regret to be obliged again to address you on the subject of the non-shipment of the rolling stock ordered for the various lines of railway now in progress throughout the Colony, in Public Works Memorandum of 23rd January, 1873. Although you advised the Government, in your letter of the 6th February last, that the major portion of that order (under contract to be delivered on or before the 16th March last) would be completed by contract time, and that you hoped to ship it during February and March; yet up to the 18th April, being the latest date received from you, there is no intimation of any portion of it having been shipped. The delay in the completion of the railways for which this rolling stock is wanted, and the consequent loss to the Colony, is very serious. Public Works Office, Wellington, 4th July, 1873. Edward Richardson.

No. 29. Memorandum No. 31, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. I have to thank you for the attention you have given to my Memorandum of the 18th December* No. 130,1872, on the subject of the rates of insurance on railway material shipped through your office, as reported in your letter of the 18th April. The rates paid by you for insurance on railway material generally are still considered higher than they should be, and it appears to me that the only way to get these risks taken most advantageously will be by the employment of a thoroughly practised insurance broker. Your continued and special attention to this subject is requested. Public Works Office, Wellington, 4th July, 1873. Edward Richardson.

No. 30. Memorandum No. 34, 1873, for the Agent-General, London. Enclosed I beg to forward as usual the " Statement of Orders forwarded to the Agent-General, London, and of Shipments by him to the Colony," corrected up to the latest dates. Public Works Office, Wellington, sth July, 1873. Edward Richardson.

No. 5. Compfled from advices received from th» Agent-General ou the 17th June.

Enclosure in No. 30. STATEMENT OF OEDERS FORWARDED TO THE AGENT-GENERAL, LONDON, AND OF SHIPMENTS BY HIM TO THE COLONY. KAIPARA TO AUCKLAND.

•EDEBS IBOM COLONY TO AgENT-i rENEBAL. Shipments fob Colo: Date. Number and Description. )stimated Weight. Date of Shipment, aa per Bill of Lading. Ship's Name and Port of Delivery. No. Weight. Date of Arrival. 1872. ran. 23 1873. rone 2 2 LocomotiTes, 9i in. cylinder, 4-wheel, coupled. Kails, 40 lbs. (18 miles) Fastenings for ditto. Tonscwt. qrs.lb? Tons cwt.qrs. lbs 1,131 8 2 8