E.—7a

4

to the assignment to the General Government conditionally upon the General Government retaining, say, £10,000 of the purchase money till the proprietors of the railway complete all their legal obligations to owners of land and district Road Boards along the line, adjust question of interest and jetty dues with Provincial Government, and cancel lease of jetties. J. Macandrew, Hon. E. Richardson, AVellington. Superintendent of Otago.

■■_____■________---------------_---___■■-■_________- No. 9. Port Chalmers Railway—Deed of Purchase. [Already printed, vide E. No. 7.]

No. 10. Mr. Oliver to the Hon. Mr. Richardson. Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway Company (Limited), Sir,— 9th April, 1873. In pursuance of the arrangement which has been made, I now beg to hand you possession of the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway and its equipments, as per agreement signed to-day, bearing your signature on behalf of the Governor, and the signatures of Messrs. J. L. Murdoch, D. Proudfoot, and myself. I am, &c, Richard Oliver, The Hon. E. Richardson, Minister of Works. Manager.

No. 11. The Hon. Mr. Richardson to Mr. Oliver. Sir,— 10th April, 1873. I have to request that, on behalf of the Government, you will continue to act as manager of the Port Chalmers Railway till the end of the month, pending the necessary arrangements for proper transfer of the working of the traffic. I understand that the remuneration you have up to the present received is at the rate of £1,000 per annum, and I propose that you should be continued at the same rate. I have, &c, R. Oliver, Esq., E. Richardson.

No. 12. Mr. Oliver to the Hon. Mr. Richardson. Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway Company (Limited), Sir,— 10th April, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of to-day's date, in which you request me to continue to act as manager of the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway till the end of the month, pending the necessary arrangements for proper transfer of the working of the traffic. In reply, I beg to say that I shall have pleasure in complying with your request. I have, &c., The Hon. Edward Richardson, Minister of Works. Richard Oliver.

No. 13. The Hon. Mr. Richardson to His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. Sir,— Dunedin, 10th April, 1873. I have the honor to request that you will inform me whether you will allow one of your police force to be employed immediately as night watchman at the Dunedin station of the Port Chalmers Railway. A very large quantity of valuable goods arc continually iv the goods sheds, and it is imperatively necessary, as protection against fire and robbery, that a reliable watchman be appointed. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. Edward Richardson.