3

1.-7

We mention these as specific sums actually due to our clients, but we understand that they do not comprise the whole amount owing to them in respect of these contracts. We have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Teavees and Ollitiee.

The Hon. the Minister for Public Woeks to Messrs. Teavebs and Ollitiee. Gentlemen, — Public Works Office, Wellington, 3rd May, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, in which you give a schedule of accounts, amounting to £19,529 Os. 3d., stated by you to be due to Messrs. John Brogden and Sons; and in reply I have to state that the item £12,293 6s. Bd. is, as you are aware, retained in accordance with the terms of the Moeraki Contract. The accounts at present in our possession do not show any such sums as you represent to be due to Messrs. Brogden to be owing to them. I have, &c, Messrs. Travers and Ollivier, Wellington. Edward Eichaedson.

MESSES. BEOGDEN'S CLAIMS OF 1876. (Printed for use of the Government Law Officers.)

COEEESPONDENCE SINCE THE PEESENTATION OF THE CLAIMS OF 1876, AND PEIOE TO THE VISIT OF A. BEOGDEN, Esq, M.P., TO THE COLONY. The Engineee-in-Chief to Messrs. Beogden and Sons. Gentlemen,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 23rd May, 1876. "Your letter of the 10th instant, enclosing accounts for the following contracts, viz.,— Waitara and New Plymouth Eailway, Picton and Blenheim and Kingston Station Accommodation, Invercargill and Mataura, Invercargill and Mataura, Station Accommodation, Picton and Blenheim, Picton and Blenheim, Eolling-stock, Waipawa, Napier-Pakipaki, has been received. They differ materially from other accounts sent in before, and it would be useless my devoting time to examine them minutely, unless they are the final accounts. Would you therefore please inform me whether the accounts now sent in are to be the last, or whether there are any further claims which you intend hereafter to make on account of these contracts. I have, &c, John Carettthees, Messrs. Brogden and Sons, Wellington. Engineer-in-Chief.

Messrs. Beogden and Sons to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks. Sib,— Wellington, 25th May, 1876. In reply to your letter of the 23rd instant, we have the honor to inform you that the accounts therein mentioned showed moneys actually due to us as specified, up to a certain date. It is impossible for us to render final accounts whilst there is so much delay on the part of the Government in settling those already rendered. If, however, the Government are prepared to settle the amounts due on those accounts within fourteen days from this date, we are willing to forego any further claims in connection with the lines therein mentioned. We have, &c, John Beogden and Sons, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works. {per J. Billing.)

The ITnder-Seceetaey for Public Woeks to Messrs. Beogden and Sons. Gentlemen, — Public Works Office, "Wellington, 19th June, 1876. I am directed by the Hon. the Minister for Public Works to inform you that the Engineer-in-Chief, having carefully gone into the accounts submitted by you in reference to certain of your railway contracts, finds — 1. That on the Waipawa, Picton and Blenheim, Picton and Blenheim 10 per cent., and Winton and Kingston 10 per cent. Contracts, the full amounts due to you thereon have been paid. 2. That there are due to you on the Napier Contract a sum of £95 135., and on the Invercargill 10 per cent, account a sum of £30 10s. 6d. 3. That on the Waitara, Waitara 10 per cent., and Invercargill Contracts you have been overpaid ; of the exact amounts of each of which you will hereafter be informed. I have, &c, John Knowles, Messrs. J. Brogden and Sons, Wellington. TJnder-Secretary for Public Works.