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which was paid for by the Westport Harbour Board was not private work, but consisted of theapparatus for discharging coals by the railway on the rail way-wharf at Westport on the premises vested in the Commissioners. The Commissioners think, as regards your own impressions expressed in the House regarding the returns, that a careful study of the latter will show you that such impressions were erroneous. You will also find that you were in error in saying the Commissioners had " sent in a report to say that no locomotives were under repair " The Commissioners respectfully request that this explanation may be presented to the House along with their reply (a copy of which is enclosed) to Mr Sandford's question asked in the Houseon the 11th August. James McKebeow, J P Maxwell, W M. Hannay, Eailway Commissioners. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington.

House of Representatives. — Order Paper No. 25. — -sth August, 1892. Me. Sandfobd's Question No. B.—-The following engines were in the Addington workshops for repairs during the month of July Class A, 2, Class F, i , Class X, 5 , Class N, 1. There are noClass G engines in the district. For the Commissioners, E. G. Pilcher, Secretary Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, ml; printing (1,260 copies), £1 3s. BtJ.

By Authority : Geobge Didsbubt, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB92. Price 3d.\