H.—2e

6

lengths. Contractors still refuse to supply either this material or iron piping for Orari. The only way is to buy at their expense. E. Caeeow, Stores Manager.

No. 25. Mr. Conyers to the Stores Manager, Christchurch. (Telegram.) _ 22nd July, 1880. Re purchase of galvanized iron. Be guided by the rule laid down by the conditions of contract. Wm. Conyers.

No. 26. Mr. E. Carrow to the Commissioner of Eailways, Dunedin. Re Galvanised Iron required for Addington Workshops. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 23rd July, 1880. You telegraphed from Wellington, " Let the contractors supply." They still refuse. The conditions of contract, if not in your office, can be got from Storekeeper. Clause 14 empowers Commissioner to purchase if contractor fails to supply. Please send definite instructions in this matter, or delegate your powers to me, in which case I shall purchase elsewhere, and deduct any excess of cost from contractors' next account. Please wire reply. E. Carrow, Stores Manager.

No. 27. Mr. Conyers to Mr. E. Carrow. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 23rd July, 1880. Re galvanized iron. My powers in this matter are delegated to you. Carry out the conditions of contract. Wm. Conters.

Interviewed Mr. Kelsey, and at his request agreed to delay ordering until 3 o'clock on Monday next, 26th instant.—E. C—23/7/80. Tuesday, 27th. —Mr. Kelsey, as agent for Guthrie and Larnach, agreed to deliver under protest.— E. C.

No. 28. Mr. Conyers to Mr. E. Carrow. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 23rd July, 1880. Please send at once copies of all correspondence between yourself and Smith re supply of corrugated iron for Addington. Wm. Conyers.

No. 29. Mr. E. Carrow to Mr. Conyers. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 23rd July, 1880. I have the honor to forward herewith copies of all correspondence which has passed between the Locomotive Superintendent, Christchurch, and myself, relative to supply of galvanized corrugated iron for Addington workshops. E. Carrow, Stores Manager.

No. 30. Memorandum for Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach, Christchurch, by Mr. W. V. Stevens. Mr. Kelsey having arranged verbally with the Stores Manager that the galvanized iron under order for Addington workshops will now be delivered under protest, I have to request that yon will send it forward to-day. The quantity can be slightly reduced as under: 424 in place of 460 8-feet, 125 in place of 153 9-feet, and 333 in place of 427 6-feet. Stores Department, Walter V. Stevens, Christchurch, 27th July, 1880. Storekeeper. Note. —This reduction was made in consequence of a portion of the iron required having been issued from stock received from Oamaru.

No. 31. Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach to Mr. E. Carrow. Sir,— Christchurch, 28th July, 1880. With reference to the large order of galvanized iron which is required by the Government for the Addington workshops, we have to point out that our delivery of same is subject to the protest which we now make: that such iron cannot legitimately be claimed under the contract, and that it is our