8.—13

1893. NEW ZEALAND.

PAYMENT OF INTEREST BY THE NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD (FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO). [In Continuation of B.-16, 1892.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Chairman of the Council of Foreign Bondholders to the Colonial Tkeasuker. (No. 1126/92.) Council of Foreign Bondholders, 17, Moorgate Street, London, E.G., Sib,— 12th July 1892. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st April last, and very much regret the decision come to by your Government. I have now the honour to inform you that a committee has been formed to act in conjunction with this Council for the protection of the interests of the debenture-holders of the New Plymouth Harbour Board. The committee is constituted as follows: The Bight Hon. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P. (chairman), Mr. Walter Busby (vice-chairman), Mr. A. W. Ballance, Mr. Hyde Clarke, Mr. Gilbert Farie, Mr. Daniel de Pass, Mr. E. C. Schomberg, and General Sir Luther Vaughan, K.C.B. The bondholders are, I believe, still prepared to accept a fair settlement of their claim, as suggested in my letter of the 2nd April, 1891. I have, &c, The Hon. J. Ballance, John Lubbock, Chairman. Colonial Treasurer and Minister of Native Affairs, New Zealand.

No. 2. The Acting-Peemieb to the Chairman of the Council of Foreign Bondholders. (No. 393). Sib,-— Premier's Office, 7th September, 1892. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th July last, No. 1126/92, informing me that a committee has been formed to act in conjunction with your Council for the protection of the interests of the debenture-holders of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, and stating your belief that the bondholders are still prepared to accept a fair settlement of their claim, as suggested in your letter of the 2nd April, 1891, and to inform you that your letter has been laid before Parliament. I have, &c, B. J. Seddon, The Bight Hon. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., Acting-Premier. Chairman, Council of Eoreign Bondholders, 17, Moorgate Street, London, E.C.

No. 3. The Seceetaey of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. (New Zealand, No. 35.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 10th August, 1892. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Council of Eoreign Bondholders respecting the debenture debt of the Plymouth Harbour Board. I have caused the Council to be informed in reply that the matter is not one in which I can interfere. I have, &c, Governor the Bight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c. Knutsfoed.