I.—7a

156

COEEESPONDENCE EELATIVE TO NON-PAYMENT OF MONET DUE ON MOEEAKI CONTEACT. The Undeb-Seceetabt for Public Woeks to Messrs. John Beogden and Sons. Gentlemen,' — Public Works Office, Wellington, 12th May, 1877. Eeferring to the applications that have been personally made by Mr. Billing for the payment of the sum of £7,910 4s. lid., being the amount still unpaid on the Moeraki Contract, the Hon. the Minister for Public Works directs me to inform you that the following items, amounting to £3,325 55., will require to be deducted therefrom, viz. : — £ s. d. Penalties on Kakanui Bridges Contract ... ... .., 160 0 0 „ Moeraki deviation ... ... ... ... 256 5 0 Maintenance failed to be performed ... ... ... ... 160 0 0 Penalties on Moeraki Contract ... ... ... ... 2,749 0 0 £3,325 5 0 As the above amount, together with the overpayment of £4,582 15s. Id. on the Waitara and luvereargill Contracts (together £7,908 Os. Id.) will nearly absorb the amount applied for, the Minister is unable at present to direct any further payment to be made. The equity of this decision will no doubt meet with your concurrence. I have, &c, John Knowles, Messrs. John Brogden and Sons, Wellington. Under-Secretary for Public Works.

COEEESPONDENCE EELATIVE TO SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS ON THE TAIEEI CONTEACT OF THE DUNEDIN AND CLUTHA EAILWAT. Messrs. John Beogden and Sons to the Hon. the Mimtst.ee for Public Woeks. Wellington, 17th August, 1877. Sib, — Taieri Contract, Dunedin and Clutha Railway. We have the honour to request a reply to our letter of the 16th March last, and having reference to yours of the Bth and 16th March relating to the accounts we forwarded to you in connection with the Taieri Contract, Dunedin and Clutha Eailway. We are anxious for an early settlement of the balance due on this contract, and have several times expressed our willingness to go through the accounts with your Engineers for this purpose, and, in accordance with the wishes of the Engineer-in-Chief, our Mr. Williams proceeded to Dunedin in May last, and requested the District Engineer, Mr. Blair, to go through the accounts with him, and in case of any difference as to measurement or the execution of certain extras, to go out on to the works and settle such differences. The District Engineer, Mr. Blair, however, refused to go through the accounts, stating he had received no instructions to do so. We therefore request an early reply as to when the balance d v the above contract will be paid to us. We have, &c, John Beogden and Sons, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works. {per John Hendeeson.)

COEEESPONDENCE EELATIVE TO BETAINING ME. BBUNTON AS A WITNESS IN THE INVEECAEGILL-MATAUBA CASE. Mr. Alexander Beogden to W. E. Betjnton, Esq. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth August, 1881. Bx all means give Mr. Higginson all the information he wants. We shall rely on you for our compensation claims. Alex. Beogden. W. E. Brunton, Esq., Oamaru. Messrs. John Bbogden and Sons to W. E. Bbttnton, Esq., C.E. Deab Sib, — Wellington, 10th August, 1881. In reference to our claim against the Government in respect of the Invercargill and Mataura Eailway we wish to retain you as a witness for us, and herewith send you a cheque for £10 as a retainer. We do not object to your giving Mr. Higginson any information he may require as to the measurements. Tours truly, W. E. Brunton, Esq., C.E., Oamaru. John Bbogden and Sons.