D.—3

8

No. 9. The Under-Secretary for Public Works to Mr. H. Allan Scott. (Telegram.) Wellington, 15th December, 1893. Formal letter to company on subject proposed modifications in contract has been posted to Christchurch to-day, but copy will be sent you as requested in your telegram to Hon. Mr. Beeves. H. J. H. Blow, H. Allan Scott, Esq., Midland Eailway, Christchurch. Under-Secretary for Public Works.

No. 10. The Under-Secretary for Public Works to Mr. H. Allan Scott. Public Works Department, Wellington, 16th December, 1893. Sir, — Be Midland Bailway. Eeferring to my telegram of yesterday's date, I have now the honour, by direction of the Minister for Public Works, to forward herewith for your information a copy of the letter which has been sent to the Midland Eailway Company on the subject of the proposed modifications in the existing contract. I have, &c, H. J. H. Blow, H. Allan Scott, Esq., Christchurch. Under-Secretary for Public Works.

No. 11. The Under-Secretary for Public Works to Mr. N. H. M. Dalston. Public Works Department, Wellington, 16th December, 1893. Sir, — Ec Midland Bailway. Eeferring to my telegram of the 15th inst., I have now the honour to forward to you herewith, as requested, a copy of the cablegram sent to Mr. Wilson on the subject of the proposed modifications in the Midland Bailway contract. I have, &c, H. J. H. Blow, N. Dalston, Esq., Under-Secretary for Public Works. New Zealand Midland Bailway Company, Christchurch.

No. 12. The General Manager, Midland Eailway Company, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. No. 156, Worcester Street, Christchurch, New Zealand, Sir,— 18th December, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, enclosing copy of cablegram sent to Mr. Wilson on the 15th instant, for which I am obliged. I am, &c, Norman H. M. Dalston, Per pro the General Manager. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington.

No. 13. The Secretary, New Zealand Midland Eailway Company (London), to the Hon. the Premier, The New Zealand Midland Bailway Company (Limited), Sir, — 61 and 62, Gracechurch Street, London, E.G. 24th February, 1894. The general manager of this company has submitted to the Board your letter to him of the 13th December, 1893, which reached London by the last mail on 2nd February. I have to state that it is the desire of my directors to meet the views of the Government in every way, consistent with the possibility of raising the money for the completion of the line of railway from the east to the west coast, and to assure you that they will use every endeavour to accomplish this end. At the same time, I am instructed to point out that it is not in the power of my directors to satisfy the Government that they are, or will be, in a position to complete that portion of the line from Belgrove to Beefton which resolution "D " appears to them to include. To comply with the terms set forth in the resolution, my directors are convinced that nothing short of an absolute, guarantee of interest by the Government would suffice. My directors have thought it right to call your attention to this point at the earliest opportunity afforded to them, as they cannot help believing that the intention of the resolution is that the Government will be content with my company showing by the statement of a good financial house that they can raise the capital necessary to complete the main line from east to west.