E.—2

6

handed the same to Messrs. Hemans and Bruce, with instructions that in future they should be made of wrought instead of cast iron, which they undertook to see carried out. I have Ac, I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 10. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. (No. 193.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sie,— . 19th March, 1875. I have the honor to state that invitations to tender for about one-half of the rolling stock ordered under Public Works Memorandum 55-74, of the 25th September, 1874, have been issued by me to the several manufacturers. The tenders are due on the 23rd instant. I enclose a copy of Messrs. Hemans and Bruce's letter explaining the delay that has arisen in preparing the drawings. I am also about to invite tenders for the remaining portion of permanent-way material ordered under Public Works Memorandum 59-74, of the 20th September, 1874 ; delivery to be taken by me in the months of September, October, November, and December of this year. I have been induced to do this on account of the continued depressed state of the iron trade, and I hope to secure this portion upon equally favourable terms as the first. Tenders will also be invited for the remaining fourteen locomotives. I have, Ac, I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 10. Mr. G. B. Beuce to the Agent-Geneeal. 2, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, S.W., 24th February, 1875. Deae Sie, — New Zealand Bailways. We beg to forward to you the specification for the rolling stock as per Memorandum No. 55-74. We have included in the present specification about one-half of the whole quantity which in consultation with yourself was considered to be iu accordance with the requirements as stated in the memorandum. We have prepared fresh drawings and lithographs of the stock, embodying various minor alterations and modifications introduced since the drawings were originally prepared. These have become necessary to avoid confusion, and account for the specification not having been sent to you before. We would suggest you asking for tenders from the same parties that have previously tendered. Yours faithfully* (for G. W. Hemans and self), I. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General. Geoege B. Beuce.

No. 11. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sie,— 7th May, 1875. With reference to your letter, No. 12, of the 19th January last, enclosing the Hon. the Minister for Public Works' Memorandum No. 11-75, of the 18th January, 1875, respecting a claim made by the Government on the Eailway Carriage Company for damage done to railway carriage fittings, owing to the imperfect soldering of the cases, I have the honor to state that the Eailway Carriage Company has paid to me the amount of the claim, £525 135., with the additional amount of £4 4s. for survey fees, claimed under Memorandum No. 17, of the 13th February, 1875. In doing so they have requested that I would lay before the Government a copy of the correspondence which has taken place respecting it, and which I beg leave to enclose herewith, and await the instructions of the Government. I have, Ac, I. E. Featheeston, The Hou. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 11. Eailway Caeetage Company to the Agent-Geneeal. Eailway Carriage Company, Limited, Oldbury, near Birmingham, Dear Sie,— 30th March, 1875. We are in receipt of your favour of 25th instant, and very much regret to learn that any of the goods should have got damaged. We, however, beg to state that we are prepared with undoubted evidence of the goods having been perfectly packed, in which state they were handed over to the ship. We therefore feel sure that the damage must have taken place after shipment of the goods. I am, Ac, I, E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General. ■ Wm. Stablefobd.