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No. 3. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 798.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 25th November, 1873. Referring to the Hon. Mr. VogePs telegram, received on the 4th instant, instructing me to press forward shipments of railway material, I have the honor to state that I am using every exertion in my power to accelerate the execution of the orders, but that, owing on the one hand to delay on the part of the contractors, and on the other to insufficient freight accommodation on the part of the Shipping Company, the supply and shipment of the material have not been quite so rapid as I could have wished. The Government may rely on my continuing to do my utmost to secure a prompt execution of their orders. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 4. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (No. 999.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 11th February, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Government, copy of a letter from Mr. Bruce, in reference to the appointment of assistant-engineers for New Zealand. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 4. Mr. G. B. Bruce to the Agent-General. 2, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Dear Sir, — 15th January, 1874. New Zealand Government Assistant-Engineers. In reference to the Memo. No. 50-73, as to the appointment of six engineers to go out to New Zealand, I beg to report as follows. I have veiy carefully considered the matter, and now beg to make the following recommendations : — First, as regards the three appointments, with salaries at the rate of £500 a year. For one of these I beg to recommend Mr. Alpin Grant Fowler. Mr. Fowler served his time with me, and after having experience both in the office and in construction of railways in England, was appointed as one of the engineers upon the Great Southern of India Railway, from which he returned at a time when the work was at a standstill. Subsequently, he was a first-class assistant upon the contractor's staff of the Bolivian Railway in South America, since which time, for the last twelve months, he has been engaged upon work at home. I can confidently recommend Mr. Fowler, from his experience, ability, and personal character. He is twentyseven years of age. I would also recommend Mr. Joseph Prime Maxwell. He was originally a pupil of Mr. Thomas Page, and has been for some years engaged upon the construction of railways in the West of England. I have made careful personal inquiries regarding Mr. Maxwell from those under whom he has served, and who have had the opportunity of knowing him, and I am quite satisfied that he will prove to be a useful officer of the Government, if you should see fit to appoint him. His age is twenty-six. For the third of these appointments I would recommend Mr. Wm. M. Manly. He is somewhat older than the other two, and has had very considerable experience in the construction of railways in Scotland, and also, as well as the other gentlemen., a good deal of experience in surveying and setting out. Mr. Manly was some time ago recommended to me by engineers in whom I have great confidence, and my own personal experience of his work confirms the recommendations originally made; and I have every confidence in recommending him to you. For one of the appointments at £400 per annum I would recommend Mr. William Kerle. He was a pupil of Mr. Church, and has had a great deal of experience, for his years, upon works of construction and surveying, principally in the West of England. I have made personal