E.—4

Enclosure in No. 1. STATEMENT showing Quantities of Rails Shipped at 31st December, 1872.

No. 2. Cablegram from the Agent-General, London. London, 10th January, 1873. • • * 135 miles rails despatched. Featherston.

No. 3. The Aqent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Secretaet. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 24th January, 1873. I have the honor to enclose invoice and bills of lading for 12,602 iron rails shipped by the " George A. Holt " at Sunderland for Wellington and Canterbury, Now Zealand ; of these, 7,300 are to be delivered at Wellington, the remainder at Canterbury. This shipment forms part of the order forwarded under Public Works Memorandum No. 24, of the 23rd January, 1872. To avoid the delay arising by forwarding the rails in small shipments, the " George A. Holt," of 1,249 tons register, was taken up for an entire cargo. The rate of freight, 425. 6d. per ton, was reduced by an allowance of 7s. 6d. per ton received from the manufacturers for taking delivery at Sunderland. The insurance on this entire cargo was effected with great difficulty at four and a half guineas per cent. These rates compare unfavourably with the rates paid for past shipments by ordinary vessels. Owing to the severity of the weather, and to the large draught of water required by the " George A. Holt," she was detained at Sunderland some time after Bhc was loaded, and did not sail from that port until the 30th ultimo. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 4. Cablegram from the Agent-General, London. London, February, 1873. * * * Holt sailed December with 1,500 tons rails Canterbury, Wellington. Ships chartered fast plant ready. All orders in hand except two ; specifications not ready. Strikes continue. Featherston.

No. 5. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Colonial Secretaet. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 6th February, 1873. I have the honor to transmit herewith the enclosed tabular statements showing the quantities of railway materials forwarded to the several ports of New Zealand, and the quantities yet to be

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Tic. roir id I1KIM. MakaWATTT. Auckland. IIawke's Bat. ElXe iO>\ an Bien: CaktekEUET. Ota lOO. ri(H). LINi JTON. Eails Tons Miles Rails Tons Mue8 711 m 91 ... 802 11| Rails Tons Miles Rails Tons Miles Rails Tons Miles Rails Tons Miles Rails Tons Milee Rails Tons Miles RaUs Tons Mil Mi! 301b. 27| 710 593 91 1645 26* 473 7^ 570 12 655 301b. 10| 187< 11* 120 800 64 17 'asteningB 122 285 85 33 87 89 3i 715 H 1930 26| 558 7i 603 12 1519 27^ 1957 27| 799 Hi 123i Aggregi ;ent-General ite—9,006 9th Janu; torn rail\ vj laterial; 135| miles. Office o: theAi iry, 873.