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I.—B.

Your letter of 4th instant goes outside the terms of the Committee's report in two particulars, and I am to state that the Government is unable to see its way to consent to any variation of the terms proposed by the Committee. If, however, you will favour the Premier with a written intimation of your acceptance of the terms proposed, the preparation of the Bill to authorise the new contract will be proceeded with immediately. I have, &c, H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works. Eobert Wilson, Esq., Wellington Club, Wellington.

The Undeb-Secbetaby, Public Woeks to the Engineek-in-Chief, Midland Eailway. Midland Railway: Proposals for a New Contract. Sib,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 10th September, 1894. I am directed by the Premier to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date, in which you state that the New Zealand Midland Eailway Company (Limited) accepts the terms of the report of the Select Committee, enclosed in letter from this office of 29th ultimo, as the basis for the new contract. As regards your allusion to paragraphs (b) and (c) in letter of 18th July last, however, I am to state that the Government is unable to see its way to go beyond the report of the Committee, which makes no allusion to these matters. I have, &c, H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works. Eobert Wilson, Esq., Wellington Club, Wellington. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,400 copies), £13 4s.

Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB94.

Price 94-]