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THE THREE RAILWAY CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO 19th JULY, 1873. On the 19th July, 1873, three additional railway contracts were entered into, viz., the Waitara to New Plymouth; Waitald to Moeraki (Moeraki Contract); and the Auckland Station, Auckland Station to Neiomarhet, and Onehunaa Branch Railway. These are of very similar tenor to the Auckland and Mercer Railway contract already printed with these papers, and are therefore not reprinted here, but copies for reference have been deposited in the General Assembly Library.

MESSRS. BROGDEN'S CLAIMS OF 1876. A limited number of these have been printed already, and hound in a volume lettered on the outside " Messrs. Brogden's Claims. — The Claims of 1876." They are not reprinted here, hut copies for reference have been deposited in the General Assembly Library.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES REFERRING TO THE ACT OF 1872, AND PAPERS RELATING THERETO. Extract from Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, U.-3, 1878. The Seceetaey for the Colonies to His Excellency the Goteenoe. My Loed, — Downing Street, 18th January, 1878. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter which has been addressed to me by Messrs. John Brogden and Sons in reference to the contracts entered into by them with, the Government of New Zealand. Messrs. Brogden and Sons appear to complain that an Act —"The Government Contractors Arbitration Act, 1872," —which in its nature was a private Act, was passed by the Legislature of New Zealand without those notices having been given to them which are prescribed in the case of all private Acts, for the protection of individuals affected thereby ; and I have therefore to request that you will bring the case under the consideration of your Ministers. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, I have, &c, G.C.M.G. Caenaevon.

[Enclosure.] Messrs. John Beogden and Sons to the Colonial Office. Sic, — 21, Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster, 15th January, 1878. We have the honour to enclose herewith a short resume of the facts in connection with the contracts for the construction of railways in New Zealand which we undertook, under agreements through the Government of New Zealand, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen; as also copy of a memorial proposed to be presented to the House of Bepresentatives of that colony for inquiry and relief in respect of an emigration agreement. Wo beg to draw the attention of Her Majesty's Government to the grave and serious injustice we now suffer under from the retention of such large sums of money, and no hearing is possible without great delay and expense to the colony and ourselves. Whereas we submit that by a speedy hearing and settlement, which the original arbitration clause insured, a mutual benefit would be the result. One of our firm will, at great inconvenience, proceed to the colony at once, so as to confer with the Government of New Zealand as to the most desirable arrangements to be made for both interests. We beg most earnestly that an inquiry may be recommended by Her Majesty's Government into the above cases, and that such intimation may be made by the outgoing mail to New Zealand on Friday next. We have, &c, W. E. Malcolm, Esq. John Bbo&den and Sons. [Sub-Enclosures.] 21, Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster, 15th January, 1878. Messes. John Brogden and Sons entered into the following contracts for the construction of railways with the Governor of New Zealand, on behalf of the Queen, at the dates named : — Auckland and Mercer ... ... ... ... 10th August, 1872. Napier and Pakipaki ... ... ... ... 10th August, 1872. Wellington and Hutt ... ... ... ... 10th August, 1872. Picton and Blenheim ... ... ... ... 10th August, 1872. Dunedin and Clutha ... ... ... ... 10th August, 1872. Invercargill and Mataura ... ... ... ... 10th August, 1872. The works are all completed, and there are now pending claims for the final balances on the contracts, &c, amounting to about £172,000, and others have yet to be sent in, which will make the total sum claimed above £200,000. The New Zealand Government dispute every claim, and allege that Messrs. John Brogden and Sons have been paid everything that is due to them upon these contracts.

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