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No. 16. The Hon. the Premier to Mr. Eobert Wilson. (Telegram.) 7th November, 1892. I cannot anticipate action of Cabinet by expressing such an opinion as you desire. I think, however, quite possible Government may make a proposal in reply to your letter. Eobert Wilson, Esq., Midland Eailway, Club, Wellington. J. Baelance, Wanganui.

No. 17. Mr. Eobert Wilson to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) 7th November, 1892. Many thanks for telegram. Fully appreciate position. Very important to cable London before general meeting. Trust Cabinet will accept offer. When may I expect answer ? The Hon. the Premier. Eobert Wilson, Wellington.

No. 18. The General Manager, Midland Eailway Company, to the Hon. the Premier. Sir,— Wellington Club, Wellington, N.Z., 17th December, 1892. I beg to remind you that consent to the extension of the contract time has not been received by the company. This question has been before the Government for months, and on your assurance I informed my directors that this extension would be granted on favourable conditions. I request you to give this subject your early and special attention, as it is impossible to even approach financiers relative to new capital until this extension of the contract time is received by the company.' I have, &c, Eobert Wilson, Engineer-in-Chief and General Manager, New Zealand Midland Eailway Company (Limited). The Hon. the Premier, Wellington.

No. 19. The General Manager, Midland Eailway Company, to the Hon. the Premier. Sir, — 154, Worcester Street, Christchurch, N.Z., 17th January, 1893. I have the honour to remind you that I have not yet had a reply from you as to the application of the company for an extension of the contract time of construction, as requested in my letter of the 29th October. I again beg to urge upon you that this question may have the earliest attention of the Government. I have, &c, Eobert Wilson, Engineer-in-Chief and General Manager, New Zealand Midland Eailway Company (Limited). The Hon. the Premier, Wellington.

No. 20. The Hon. the Minister for Public Worrs to the General Manager, Midland Eailway Company. Public Works Department, Wellington, 27th January, 1893. Sir, — Ec Midland Bailway Contract: Proposed Extension of Time. In reply to your letter of the 17th instant, addressed to the Hon. the Premier, in which you ask for an early decision upon your application for an extension of the contract time for the completion of the Midland Eailway, I have now the honour to state that, in the opinion of the Government, it would be best for the settlement of this question to stand over until it is seen whether the negotiations with your company in reference to arranging for an entirely new contract lead to any practical result. I have, &c, General Manager, New Zealand Midland Eailway Company. E. J. Seddon.

No. 21. The General Manager, Midland Eailway Company, to the Hon. the Premier. Sir,— Wellington Club, Wellington, N.Z., 27th January, 1893. At great personal inconvenience, I postponed my departure for London by the last Frisco mail, being led to believe that the Midland Eailway proposals would be considered at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday, and, if I waited, should receive a reply before leaving in the " Arawa " on Thursday next. I now learn that the question was not considered in Cabinet, and that it is uncertain when the proposals will receive the consideration of the Government. I must again remind you that I have not received the formal notice of extension of the contract time, though applied for months ago. I need hardly point out to you the impossibility of my