3

D.—7

I wish for these documents in order that the same may be laid before my Executive for their consideration. I have, Ac, William Fitzherbert, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent.

No. 8. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, sth November, 1872. I have the honor to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a letter* from the Hon. Colonel Feilding to His Excellency the Governor, asking for certain modifications in the terms of the contract entered into by him on behalf of the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation. As by section 7 of " The AVellington Debts Amendment Act, 1872," no modification of this contract can be made without the concurrence of your Honor, I shall feel obliged if you will inform me whether you are prepared to assent to any of the proposals of Colonel Feilding,"and, if so, to what extent. If your Honor desires to confer with the Government on the subject, they will be happy to meet you for the purpose. As it is very desirable that an answer should be sent to Colonel Feilding by the out-going mail, I trust your Honor will favour me with a reply at as early a date as a full consideration of this important subject will allow. I have, &c., His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. JonN Hall.

No. 9. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 6th November, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth instant, enclosing copy of a letter from the Hon. Colonel Feilding to His Excellency the Governor. I beg to refer you to my letter of the 30th ultimo, in which I request to be furnished with a copy of Colonel Feilding's power of attorney, and a copy of one of the bills signed by him, and have to request that I may be furnished with copies of those documents, in order that I may lay them before my Executive. I have, &c, William Fitzherbert, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 10. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Bth November, 1872. In compliance with the request contained in your Honor's letter of the 6th instant, I have the honor to transmit, for your information, the accompanying copies of Colonel Feilding's power of attorney and of one of the bills signed by that gentleman. As in your letter of the 30th ultimo, you ask for copies of all the correspondence relating to Colonel Feilding's matter, I should feel obliged if your Honor would inform me whether there are any documents of which you would like to have copies other than those now supplied. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, AVellington. John Hall.

No. 11. His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir,— Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 12th November, 1872. I have the honor to reply to your letter of the sth instant, in which you state " I shall feel obliged if you will inform me whether you are prepared to assent to any of the proposals of Colonel Feilding, and, if so, to what extent." The question whether there is any power without the sanction of the General Assembly to alter the terms of the Colonel Feilding contract is one as to which I am advised there is great doubt. This point will require careful consideration before any agreement for an alteration is finally come to. Apart from this question, I think it right, before expressing my own views as to Colonel Feilding's proposal, that I should be informed as to tho views taken by the General Government as to such proposal, and in what particulars, if at all, the General Government is prepared to modify the contract. I have, &c., William Fitzherbert, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent. * Printed in D. 11a, 1872.