D.—s

Enclosure 2 in No. 13. Mr. Geokge Findlay to the Agent-Genebal. Deab Sik Fhancis, — Euston Station, London, 26th October, 1888. This statement is a correct record of Mr. Eee's services, subject to the qualification that he was engaged in London about seven years and at Liverpool three years; in all ten. Prior to that time he had a thorough training in all the departments. George Findlay, General Manager.

No. 14. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Phkmieb. (Telegram.) London, 18th December, 1888. Bailways.—Eee withdraws from being candidate. F. D. Bell.

No. 15. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Public Wobks. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 29th December, 1888. On the 18th instant I received a letter from Mr. Findlay (copy of which is enclosed), intimating that Mr. Eec had withdrawn from being a candidate for the appointment of Chief Eailway Commissioner, as the chance of promotion in the North-Western service had arisen. You will see that Mr. Eec came to that decision in consequence of his pending promotion, and not on account of the delay in my being able to tell him whether he would be appointed by the Government. I telegraphed Mr. Eee's withdrawal to you as soon as 1 received it. I propose now to await orders before taking any further step. In any case, however, I should wait for Sir E. Watkin's return from India; he has left, and will soon be here. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. F. I). Bell.

Enclosure in No. 15. Mr. Geoege Findlay to the Agent Genebal. London and North-W T estern Eailway Company, Deab Sib Francis, — London, 17th December, 1888. The chance of promotion for Mr. Eec has arisen, as I told you it was likely to do, and I am writing, at his request, to say he withdraws his application for the Commissionership of the New Zealand Eailways. He has done this after mature consideration as to his chances with this company, and not from any delay in hearing definitely from you. If I can help you further I will gladly do so. Yours, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell. m ____™™, Geobge Findlay.

No. 16. The Hon. the Peemie : to the Agent-Genekal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11th January, 1889. Eailway Board appointed. Mr. McKerrow, Surveyor-General, chief; Maxwell and Haimay deputies. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 17. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Ministeb for Public Woeks. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 11th January, 1889. I have this moment received your telegram informing me that Mr. McKerrow has been appointed Chief Commissioner, with Mr. Maxwell and Mr.. Hannayas the other two Commissioners. I trust I shall not be thought to go out of my proper place if I express the great satisfaction with which I have received this intelligence, for if any opinion of mine could be counted as being of any worth, formed as it has been during a time of prolonged anxiety, and with the constant object and hope of limiting as far as in me lay the risk of what might so easily have been a calamitous mistake in the advice I gave the Government, then I have no hesitation in saying that with a single exception we have never had a chance of getting a man here who could even approach Mr. McKerrow in the combination of high qualities by which your Eailway Commission will now be made what it ought to be for the colony. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 18. The Hon. the Minister for Public Wobks to the Agent-Geneeal. (Memorandum No. 2/89.) Public Works Office, Wellington, 21st January, 1889. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (No. 1,502) of the 29th October last, on the subject of the Chief Commissionership of the New Zealand Eailways, and recommending the

2—D. 5.

5