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No. 7. The Hon. J Macandeew to Sir J Vogel and Mr. W J M. Labnach. Gentlemen, — Public Works Office, 26th April, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth December, forwarding copy of letter and enclosures from Mr. Galbraith on the subject of a direct steam line to New Zealand. The case containing the plans of the proposed ships has also been received. I fully concur with you in believing that the line proposed will probably be superior to any other line afloat, and would be of incalculable value to New Zealand. I should, therefore, have been glad had the Government been in a position definitely to deal with the matter at once. As it is, however, until Parliament meets, no action can be taken which would command the colony to the large subsidy named by Mr. Galbraith. So soon as the Assembly is in session I propose that the question shall be submitted for its decision. At present I would only observe that, although the proposed service by Messrs. Galbraith and Denny is a bi-monthly one, I feel persuaded that a monthly service is a mere question of time, and that the time has now arrived when nothing less will be satisfactory to New Zealand, and to meet the requirements of the enormous traffic which monthly steam cannot fail to develop. Sir Julius Vogel, I have, &c, W. J M. Larnach, Esq., J Macandeew, London. Minister for Public Works.

No. 8. Sir. Julius Vogel to the Hon. the Ministeb for Public Woeks. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 16th June, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th April, No. 1 852, in which you state your views on the subject of a direct steam line to New Zealand, and advise me of the Bteps which you propose to take on the question. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Julius Vogel, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 9. Mr. Mackebbus to the Hon. the Mintsteb for Public Wokks. Sib, — Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin, 12th May, 1881. He direct steam communication with Great Britain. I have the honor, on behalf of this Chamber, to request you, at your earliest convenience, to supply the Committee with copies of letters from Sir Julius Vogel and W. J M. Larnach, Esq., together with plans from Messrs. Galbraith and Co., addressed to the Hon. James Macandrew Esq., as Minister of Immigration or of Public Works, filed in one or other of these departments. Such letters were written in December, 1878, with special reference to this subject. I would also ask you if, in the event of such direct line of steamers being established, the Government would so far assist the enterprise as to relieve the steamers of all port charges in the proposed ports of call, viz., Port Chalmers, Lyttelton, and Wellington, returning from the latter port in reverse order. I have &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, J A. Mackeebus, Wellington. Chairman Sub-Committee.

No. 10. The Undee-Seceetaey for Public "Woeks to Mr. Mackeeeus. Sib,— Public Works Office, 17th May, 1881. I am directed by the Minister for Public Works to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th May, requesting to be supplied with copies of correspondence relative to direct steam communication with New Zealand between Sir Julius Vogel, Mr. Larnach, and the Hon. Mr. Macandrew, and in compliance therewith to forward to you the enclosed. I am, however, to explain that the tracings and other enclosures to Mr. Galbraith's letter of the 3rd December, 1878, are not included, the tracings having been framed and placed in the Assembly Library, and the enclosures never having been filed. I have &c, J A. Mackerrus Esq., John Knowles, Chairman, Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin. Under-Secretary for Public Works.

Authority: Geobgk Didsisuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—1881.