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The Hon. W. Gisboene to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 26th July, 1872. I have the honor to inform you that the Government have received a memorial signed by several residents of Onehunga, requesting that a bridge may be erected to connect the district of Mangerewith Onehunga and the Waikato Kaihvay, and stating that the Provincial Council have passed a resolution to provide out of provincial revenue the interest and sinking fund on the cost of its erection. I shall be obliged by your Honor informing me whether you desire this bridge shall be constructed, and whether you will provide the interest and sinking fund on the cost out of provincial revenue. The Government would prefer that this mode should be adopted, and that if tolls are exacted they shall be received by the Provincial Government to recoup the amount contributed out of provincial revenue. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. W. Gisbobne. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretaet. Sie,— Wellington, 26th July, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of yours of this date relative to Mangere and Onehunga Bridge. In reply, I have the honor to inform you that the Provincial Council, at its last session, passed a resolution to provide out of provincial revenue the interest and sinking fund on the cost of its erection, and that it is a work which I believe would be beneficial to the Mangere and Ihumata Districts, as well as prove a feeder to the Onehunga and Auckland Railway now in progress. I have, &c, Thomas B. Gillies, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent. His Honor the S upeeintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sie, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 12th November, 1872. Referring to the Colonial Secretary's letter of 26th July last, No. 235, and my reply of same date, relative to the erection of Mangere Bridge, I have the honor to request that you will inform me whether your Government propose to proceed with that work, and if any and what steps have been taken towards that end, as the Provincial Government have to make provision for the interest and sinking fund on the cost of erection. . I have to submit to you that the Provincial Government should be kept advised of the steps taken in the matter by the Public Works Department; and, in fact, that they should have the approval and practical supervision of the work. As the Provincial Council meets next week, and will no doubt require information on the above matter, 1 shall feel obliged by an early reply. I have, Ac, Thomas B. Gillies, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Sie, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 3rd December, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th November, in which you request to be informed of the intentions of the Government in reference to the erection of the "Mangere Bridge, and, in reply, to inform your Honor that the plans and specifications are now complete, and tenders will be called for the erection of the bridge almost immediately. Before doing so, however, the District Engineer, to whom the plans and specifications are about to be sent, will be instructed to submit them for your Honor's inspection. I shall be obliged by your Honor communicating to Mr. O'Rorke any suggestions or observations. you may desire to make thereon. I have, &c, G. M. Waterhouse, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (for the Colonial Secretary). The Hon. Mr. Richardson to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (No. 2141.) Government Buildings, 12th December, 1872. Letter written you sth December still here in post, stating plans and specifications for Mangere Bridge complete, ready to call for tenders. Will be sent for your inspection by first opportunity. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Edward Richaedson. The Hon. G. M. O'Rorke to the Provincial Secretary, Auckland. Sib, — General Government Buildings, 7th January, 1873. I submit the plans and specifications of the proposed bridge at Mangere, with regard to which I had a consultation with his Honor the Superintendent a day or so before he left town. His Honor requested me to ascertain the probable cost of the bridge, and whether totara piles would not be preferable to jarrah piles. The telegram I received in reply is enclosed. The estimated cost of the bridge being much lower than what his Honor and I thought it would be, I have to request that the Provincial Government will now approve of my having tenders for the work called for. I have, &c, The Provincial Secretary, Auckland. G. Maueice O'Roeke. 2—l 2a.