H.—37.

4

May I be permitted to add to the information you have already received, that the " Cairo," which left London for Port Phillip on the 17th November last, in addition to her crew of 27 persons and 16 passengers, had on board a general cargo, comprising a large quantity of Manchester goods, 200 tons of bar and pig iron, 4,000 cases and 200 casks of spirits, 170 kegs of saltpetre, and about 30 tons of gunpowder, packed in small casks ? I have, &c, The Editor of the Times. M.

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Messrs. J. and E. Hall to the Agent-General. Sib,— 21, St. Swithin's Lane, London, March 17,1877. The discussions which have of late taken place in Parliament, and the correspondence which has appeared in the Press, on the subject of the conveyance of gunpowder by vessels carrying passengers have doubtless attracted your attention. The best mode of transporting this necessary but very dangerous product from place to place has long engaged the serious attention of those connected with its manufacture. Amongst these, we are admittedly one of the oldest established houses, our province being the making of the machinery by which gunpowder is manufactured. It was our intention to have designed a new and improved form of package to which we hoped to call your attention, but it has since occurred to us that in the case of so important a country as New Zealand, the simplest remedy would be to set up an arsenal and manufacture its own powder. The expense of erection is comparatively trifling, the process of making by no means difficult, the danger (where care is taken) almost nominal, and in the event of the supply exceeding the demand the surplus frould, we imagine, always find a ready sale. On the other hand, the advantages are, we venture to suggest, really important. A certainty of good quality is insured. Every description of powder can be made as required, either for war or mining purposes, and all kinds in store that may have become obsolete or damaged can be remade and worked into more suitable sizes. A stop is at once put to the necessity of conveying gunpowder in passenger or other ships, the public knowledge of which would certainly be an encouragement to emigration. And in the event of war, New Zealand would possess within herself the means not only of creating all the powder she might require, but would also be able to furnish assistance if needed to the mother-country, should her ships in those seas run short of ammunition. If you think, Sir, that the subject is of sufficient importance to interest your Government, may we ask you to bring the matter before them when next you send out any despatches. And, descending from generalities to personal matters, may we trouble you with the information that for many years we have enjoyed the confidence of this Government, that we have fitted up an arsenal for them in each of the three Indian dependencies; and we shall be happy to furnish you with every information necessary to the subject. We are, &c, Sir Julius Vogel. John and Edwaed Hall. The cost of au arsenal varies, according to its producing powers, from £15,000 to £25,000.

Enclosure 3 in No. 1. The Agent-Genebal to Messrs. J. and E. Hall. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Gentlemen, — 29th March, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th instant, containing suggestions relating to the manufacture and storage of gunpowder in New Zealand. In reply I have to inform you that I will communicate a copy of your letter to the Government of the colony by the first outgoing mail, and, at the same time, call their attention to the subject. I have, &c, Messrs. J. and E. Hall, Julius Vogel, 21, St. Swithin's Lane, London, E.C. Agent-General for New Zealand.

Enclosure 4 in No. 1. [Extract from the Otago Daily Times of 24th September, 1875.] Stowage of Gunpowder. The following correspondence on this subject has been placed at our disposal for publication : — Mr. J. W. EtrssELL to Captain Cumming. Deae Siff, — I have been informed that in many of the ships in which gunpowder has been imported from England to this port during the last two years, the necessary precautions have not been adopted in the stowage of such very dangerous cargo. As you are in the daily habit of inspecting the stowage of cargo while being discharged, would you bo kind enough to furnish me with a report on this matter for the use of the Underwriters' Association here, stating whether, according to your judgment and experience as a surveyor, proper means have been taken for the safety of the ship and prevention of accidents? I have, &c, Captain Cumming, James W. Russell, Marine Surveyor, Port Chalmers. Surveyor to Association.