27

8.—16.

and the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, are not directly or indirectly liable or responsible for the payment of the stock or of the dividends thereon, or for any matter relating thereto. In witness whereof the said Sir Francis Dillon Bell and Sir Penrose Goodchild Julyan have hereunto set their hands this 20th day of October, 1880. Witness to the signature of Sir Francis Dillon Bell —Leonaed J. Maton, Solicitor, •_, ■_, T3_- T _ 21, Cannon Street, London. Witness to the signature of Sir Penrose Goodchild Julyan—Jno. Mackbell, p „ , Solicitor, High Trees, Clapham Common. ' ' '

No. 40. The Agent-General, to the Colonial Treasurer. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 18th November, 1886, Beferring to your letter No. 20, of the 9th October last, we have the honour to inform you that the balance (£142,800) of the district railway debentures was duly received, and herewith is a certificate of their receipt countersigned by the Audit Officer. The Bank of England has appointed to receive these debentures for cancellation on or after the 22nd instant. I have, &c. F. D. Bell, The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Wellington. For the Stock Agents.

No. 41. The Agent-General to the Colonial Treasurer. (Memorandum.) 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 30th November, 1886. District Bailway Debentures. —The £242,800 debentures received from the Treasury were delivered to the Bank of England for cancellation, &c, on the 22nd instant. Herewith I enclose copy of the letters to and from the bank, by which their receipt is duly acknowledged. ■■••- B. D. Bell.

Enclosures in No. 41. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 22nd November, 1886. Referring to my letter to you of the 6th October last, I beg herewith to transmit £242,800 New Zealand Government 4-per-cent. debentures issued under "Tho District Railways Purchasing Act, 1885," particulars of which arc given in the attached schedule. I have, &c, The Chief Cashier, Bank of England. F. D. Bell.

Sir,— Bank of England, London, E.C., 22ndNovember, 1886. I hereby acknowledge to have this day received New Zealand Government 4-per-cent. debentures for £242,800 (issued for the purchase of district failways), to be cancelled as arranged in the Loan Agents' letter of tho 6th October, 1886. I have, &c., The Agent-General for Now Zealand, F. May, 7, Westminster Chambers, S.W. Chief Cashier.

No. 42. The Agent-General to the Colonial Treasurer. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 3rd December, 1886. Adverting to your letter of the 2nd June last, No. 18, on the subject of lost bonds, I observe that, by section 4 of the Lost Debentures Act passed last session, it is provided that the Governor's powers may be delegated to such persons as His Excellency may think fit. In the event of such delegation not having been yet made, I should bo glad to be informed of your intention therein, as nothing can of course be done hero without it. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 43. The Agent-General to the Colonial Treasurer. (Memorandum.) 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 13th December, 1886. Wellington Loan, 1866. —Referring to my letter, No. 759, of the 16th June last I have to inform the Honourable Minister that, having received from the Union Bank of Australia the £13,500 8-per-cent. debentures, Province of Wellington £50,000 Loan, which were paid off on the Ist July last, I have forwarded the same to the Treasury in a parcel contained in the mail-box which will be shipped this week by the s.s. "Buapehu." The bonds have been duly cancelled and are numbered as follows—namely: Nos. 343 to 367, 25 bonds of £100 each; 387 to 389, 3 bonds of £100 each ; 391 to 397, 7 bonds of £100 each; 401 to 500, 100 bonds of £100 each : total 135 F. D. Bell.

No. 44. The Agent-General to the Colonial Treasurer. (Memorandum.) 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S,W., 30th December, 1886. Loan, 1886. —The Loan Agents have paid into the Public Account up to this date the sum of £892,500 on account of the instalments of the loan (£1,567,800) issued in October last. A further sum of £5,000 will be paid in by them to-morrow (31st). F. D. Bell.