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D.—7

As I understand from Mr. Halcombe, your Agent in AVellington, that he is prepared to transmit to you by cable the substance of the reply, of tho Government to your application, I have forwarded to him a copy of this letter. I have, &c, The Hon. Colonel Feilding, , John Hall. Agent for Emigrant and Colonists' Aid Corporation, London.

No. 15. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to Mr. A. F. Halcombe. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 23rd November, 1872. As I understand you are prepared to communicate by cable to the Directors of the Emigrant aud Colonist's Aid Corporation the substance of the decision of this Government on the application of the Company for a modification of the terms of their contract, I have the honor to forward herewith copy of a letter I have this day addressed to Colonel Feilding conveying that decision. I beg to suggest that Colonel Fielding be requested to intimate the reply of the Company as early as possible by cable. I have, &c, A. F. Halcombe, Esq., John Hall. Agent for the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation.

No. 16. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 23rd November, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st instant stating in reply to my letter of the sth instant, and as the result of various interviews with the Hon. Mr. Vogel, the modifications in the terms of the contract with Colonel Feilding which you think should be conceded. In reply, I beg to inform your Honor that your proposals are considered by the Government to be fair and reasonable, and that they havo been forwarded to Colonel Feilding in a letter, of which a copy is enclosed.* I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. John Hall.

No. 17. His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington, to the Hon. tho Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 21st November, 1872. *'""'"!, Beferring to section 6 ot the deed entered into with the Hon. Colonel Feilding, I beg to submit that the General Government should now pay fifteen shillings per acre for the one thousand acres of totara timber there referred to, with the right to recover the amount from the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Society for the land after the Government shall have taken what timber it may require therefrom. I have, &c, William Fitzherbert, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 18. The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse to His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Sir,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 27th November, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st inst., in which, with reference to section 6 of the deed entered into between the Government and the Hon. Colonel Feilding on behalf of the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation, you submit that the Government should now pay to the Province of Wellington fifteen shillings per acre for the thousand acres of totara timber hind there referred to, with the right to receive the amount from the Corporation after the Government shall have taken what timber it may require therefrom. In reply, I have to inform your Honor that the District Engineer has been applied to for the particulars of the selection of the land; and as soon as these are received, and the selection made by the Government assented to, a prompt settlement shall be made of the liability connected therewith. I have, &c, G. M. AVATERnOUSE, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. (for the Colonial Secretary). * See No. 14.