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On the 27th March, I received your memorandum of the 11th Pobruary, No. 11, to the effect that a large number of the defective axles had been tested in the railway workshops at Christchurch and Dunedin, as well as at Wellington, and that all had completely failed. * * * I propose, unless otherwise ordered by you, to go on refusing to pay the amounts claimed for axles, and let the companies bring an action if they choose. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. P. D. Bell.

No. 30. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister foe Public Works. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 10th May, 1885. It was with great satisfaction that I received your letter of the 21st March, stating that you had had under your serious consideration the question of inspection of Railway Material in England ; and I shall be most glad to learn the decision to which you may have come. For a long time past I have had cause to be dissatisfied with the existing system ; but the tremendous danger that was run by the shipment of axles which had been passed as sound, but were in reality worthless, turned that dissatisfaction into such a different feeling, that I had already come to the conclusion that nothing but a radical change would do any good. I am much obliged for the welcome information you are pleased to give me in your letter, that you are having wheels and axles forged in the Colony, and would not order more from England. I have &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 81. The Hon. the Minister foe Puulic Works to the Agent-General. Public Works Office. Wellington, 17th July, 1885. Me Inspection of Railway Material in England. (Memorandum No. 30/85.) I have the honor to acklow ledge the receipt of your letter of 16th May, No. (315, on the above subject, and in reply 1 beg to thank you for the attention which, from the tenor of your letter, it is evident you have given to this subject, and to inform you that the Government intends, immediately after the conclusion of the present Session, to take into its most serious consideration the .whole question of the inspection of Government Material in England, and I will then have the honor of writing you further on the subject, and shall be glad to receive any suggestions you may like to make by return of post. The Agent-General, London. Edward Richardson.

Authority: Oeoege Didsbuey, Government Printer, "Wellington.—lBBs.