E.—7a

8

No. 23. The Hon. Mr. Richardson to Messrs, Proudfoot and Co. Gentlemen, — DuncdiD, 22nd April, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Calcutt has furnished me with his valuation of the outstanding land claims on the Port Chalmers Railway, in accordance with the terms of his appointment, a copy of which is enclosed, amounting to £273 10s. I have to request that you will pay the above sum to Mr. Hill, the Collector of Customs here, on behalf of the General Government, and presume his receipt will be sufficient. I have, &c., Messrs. Proudfoot, Oliver, and Co., Dunedin. E. Richardson.

Enclosure in No. 23. Memorandum for the information of the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway. Showing how the sum of £273 10s. is arrived at: — Mr. "Wickens .. .. .. .. .. £50 0 0 Mr. Smith (in addition to sum already received) .. .. 20 0 0 Mr. Macredie .. .. .. .. .. 500 Mr. Peters .. .. .. .. .. 10 0 0 The Misses Carter .. .. .. .. .. 13 10 0 Miss Carter .. .. .. .. .. 50 0 0 Mrs. Ritchie .. .. .. .. .. 25 0 0 Mr. Pollock (section close to station. Port Chalmers) .. 100 0 0 £273 10 0

No. 24. The Hon. Mr. Richardson to Messrs. Proudfoot and Oliver. Gentlemen, — Dunedin, 22nd April, 1873. The enclosed is a copy of a letter I have addressed to His Honor the Superintendent of Otago, the tenor of which I hope may be satisfactory to you. I have, &c, Messrs. Proudfoot and Oliver, Dunedin. Edward Richardson.

Enclosure in No. 24 The Hon. Mr. Richardson to His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. Sir,— Dunedin, 22nd April, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that, after careful inquiry made by me, at request of all parties concerned, into the matter of interest claimed to be due to Messrs. Proudfoot and Oliver and the Port Chalmers Railway Company, amounting to £726 Os. Id., being balance of interest guaranteed by Provincial Government of Otago on the sum of £70,000 for construction account of the Port Chalmers Railway, I consider that this sum is justly due to the late contractors, and have to request that you will cause it to be paid to them at an early date, as it was one of the conditions attached to the deed of sale that this claim was to be settled on handing over the railway. I have, &c, Edward Richardson, His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. (for Colonial Secretary). Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 2_. Provincial Government of Otago in Account with Messrs. Proudfoot, Oliver, and Ulph, Promoters of Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway. Dr. £ c. d. To Tlireo Months'lnterest on £70,000 at 8 per cent. ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,400 0 0 Cr. By Cash from Jetty Dues on account ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 673 19 11 Dunedin, 9th April, 1873. £726 0 1