H.—3sa.

[Eeply to Telegram No. 1 from Messrs. Turnbull and Martin.] Hon. John McKenzie, Minister for Agriculture, Invercargill. 20th February, ISPQ.'-^g As far as Shire Line steamers are concerned we are in position carry considerable quantities of grain during winter months from Lyttelton, Port Chalmers, or Bluff, in four steamers, provided freight is payable. We have to consult Shaw-Savill, New Zealand Shipping Company on this matter. Understand their idea is £1 12s. 6d. wheat; £1 17s. 6d. oats, by steamer. TUENBULL, MABTIN, AND Co., Agents, Shire Line.

[Eeplies to Telegram No. 1 from National Mortgage Company, Agents for Shaw-Savill and Albion Company, Dunedin.] Hon. J. McKenzie, Minister for Agriculture, Invercargill. 20th February, 1899. Thebb is every appearance of ample steamer tonnage for grain. Am leaving for Timaru to-day, reaching Christchurch Wednesday. Will consult with coadvisers and reply definitely. Wμ. Henderson, National Mortgage, Dunedin.

Hon. John McKenzie, Minister for Agriculture, Dunedin. 23rd February, 1899. Owing to shrinkage of wool for sailers at all ports this season several Shaw-Savill's vessels brought to New Zealand waters at considerable loss on market rates are available for grain at current rates, probably, basis, 30s. wheat. If Government contemplate assisting shippers by tonnage contributions we shall be glad to facilitate by removal of vessels to ports where early dispatch can be assured. We also anticipate considerable steamer space for grain will be available throughout the season, contingent on wool and other produce shipments. Wμ. Hendebson, Shaw-Savill's Eepresentatives.

[Telegram from A. H. Crawford and Co.] Hon. John McKenzie, Shag Point. Dunedin, 28th February, 1899. London cables offering steamer capacity sixty thousand sacks ; eighteen loading days ; lay days to commence 15th April; Timaru-Lyttelton rate, 355. ton. Premier will see you about. Please telegraph reply afternoon. Offer only open till to-day. A. H. Cbawfobd.

[Telegram.] Palmerston, 28th February, 1899. A. H. Crawford and Co. (late Stanley and Co.), Dunedin. Thibty-five shillings prohibitive. Must have cheaper freights. John McKenzie.

[Telegrams from Tyser Line]. Hon. John McKenzie, Wellington. Napier, 15th March, 1899. Beceived favourable reply from London. Writing full particulars. Will letter reach you Wellington, Friday night. Todd.

Hon. John McKenzie, Wellington. Napier, 16th March, 1899. Letter posted by to-day's mail. Todd.

[Letter.] Deak Sib, — The Tyser Line (Limited), Napier, 15th March, 1899. As advised by telegram to-day, I have had a favourable reply to my cable to London re freight on wheat and oats, and am now in a position to place at your disposal all the surplus space in our regular line of insulated steamers during the winter months of this year, say, from April until October. I find it impossible to make any reliable estimate of the probable amount of space that will be available for your purposes in each steamer, but you may depend upon from six to eight thousand sacks in each of the smaller-sized boats, and in the "Leitrim" twenty-five to thirty thousand sacks. The latter sailed from Sydney for Auckland to-day, and will be available for loading at a southern port about 21st April. She ■will be followed by the " Indramayo," " Star of England," and " Hawke's Bay," during May, and after that we will have a steamer every month. Our new steamer " Tomoana," due in the colony July or August, should have space for 30,000 or 40,000 sacks.

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