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We protest in the strongest manner against the arbitrary determination not even to consider the course the Government will take with the other petitions until that of the Invercargill and Mataura is disposed of. It assumes that all the questions raised in the other petitions are identical with that one. We beg at once to state that they are not. We shall send in the petitions for signature, and we do not think the Government will, on reflection, feel themselves justified in closing the doors of justice to us or any other proper claimant. We have, &c, The Hon. John Hall, Wellington. John Beogden and Sons.

Messrs. Beogden and Sons to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks. Sie, — Grey Street, Wellington, 7th June, 1881. In reply to your letter of the 6th June, No. 2203, we have only to remark that it does not accurately represent the facts, as we applied on the 25th May for a Petition of Eight, in accordance with the claims rendered on the 21st April under the Invercargill and Mataura Contract, and in exchange for that signed in 1878. The refusal of the Government to the exchange obliged us to rely, therefore, on the earlier-dated petition. We have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. John Beogden and Sons.

Messrs. Beogden and Sons to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks. Sie,— Wellington, 7th June, 1881. We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 2204, of the 6th June. Our notices to arbitrate are in accordance with our contracts, and are legal and proper, and we insist upon them as such. The accounts referred to in them have been in the possession of the Government for three months, and we do not believe that any appreciable progress has been made in their examination ; and we respectfully say that we have bo confidence in such an examination, either as to accuracvor expedition. We even prefer the well-known delays of the law, where we at least have the advantage of being heard and of criticism. We put forward our right to prosecute our claims as a right enjoyed by every one having even a primd facie case, and shall not fail in our persistence to obtain our rights, notwithstanding the obstruction of the Government. We have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. John Beogden and Sons.

The TTndee-Seceetaby for Public Woeks to Messrs. Beogden and Sons. Gentlemen, — Wellington, 9th June, 1881 I am directed by the Minister for Public Works to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, on the subject of your recent notices to arbitrate. I have, &c, John Knowles, Messrs. J. Brogden and Sons. Wellington. Under-Secretary for Public Works.

The TJndee-Seceetaey for Public Woeks to Messrs. Bbogden and Sons. Gentlemen, — AVellington, 9th June, 1881. I am directed by the Minister for Public Works to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th June, relative to the circumstances which you state oblige you to to rely on the earlier Petition of Eight in the Invercargill and Mataura claim. I have, &c, John Knowlbs, Messrs. J. Brogden and Sons, Wellington. TTnder-Secretary for Public Works.

The TTndee-Secbetaey for Public Woeks to Messrs. Beogden and Sous. Gentlemen, — "Wellington, 9th June, 1881. I am directed by the Minister for Public Works to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, in reference to the Petition of Eight on your Invercargill and Mataura Contract, and am to state that the Government see no reason to alter the decision notified in the Minister's letter of the 3rd instant, to which your letter above mentioned is a reply. I have, &c, John Knowles, Messrs. J. Brogden and Sons, "Wellington. "Under-Secretary for Public Works.

Mr. Cate to Mr. Bell. Wellington, 20th June, 1881. Sie, — Brogden v. Queen. Herewith I beg to hand you print of the amended Petition of Eight herein. At the same time my clients desire me to repeat their offer to submit the disputes involved in the matter to arbitration, and to express their willingness to consent either to an order of reference under " The Supreme