37

8.—21

No. 76. The Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) The Agent-General, London. Wellington, 6th June, 1893. Lyttelton and Christchurch Eailway Loan, 1860 : Your letter of 21st April received. Prefer Sinking Fund Trustees retire debentures if funds available.

No. 77. The Agent-General to the Premier. (Telegram.) The Premier, Wellington. Eeceived 10th June, 1893. Lyttelton and Christchurch Eailway Loan, 1860 : Meaning of message uncertain. Sinking Fund in colony, nevertheless will arrange redemption, pending final adjustment. Writing. (London, 9th.)

No. 78. The Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) The Agent-General, London. Wellington, 14th June, 1893. Lyttelton and Christchurch Eailway Loan, 1860: Sinking Funds Commissioners will, on Ist proximo, transfer funds here, therefore you will arrange redemption.

No. 79. (No. 23.) The Premier to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 15th June, 1893. Beferring to your letter No. 440, dated 21st April, 1893, pointing out that £28,700 debentures, less £200 converted, of the Lyttelton and Christchurch Eailway Loan are redeemable on the Ist proximo. I sent you a wire on the 6th instant (copy attached)* and received your reply of 9th idem (copy also attached). + The question whether this small parcel should be converted, or paid off out of accrued sinking funds had engaged the attention of my predecessor, but no decision had been arrived at; hence there was no correspondence with you on the subject until the arrival of your despatch now under reply. After full consideration of the subject, and ascertaining from the Commissioners that there were ample accrued sinking funds, I have come to the conclusion that the outstanding debentures falling due should be paid off at maturity, and I therefore sent you cable of yesterday's date (copy enclosed).]: The Commissioners will hand me securities of the nominal value of £28,500, which I can readily sell, so as to provide funds to meet the payment you will make on your side. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, John McKenzie (for the Premier). London.

No. 80. The Agent-General to the Premier. (No. 448.) Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 27th April, 1893. I beg to transmit herewith the undermentioned statements of accounts, namely:— 1. Statement showing the financial result of the various transactions which have passed between the Stock Agents and the Public Account, from Ist October, 1892, to 31st March, 1893. 2. Statement showing (1) amount of stock in hand on the 29th October; (2) amount inscribed since the 29th October, 1892 ; (3) amount of stock sold; and (4) amount in hand 31st March, 1893. I have Ac, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. B. Perceval.

* No. 76, supra. t No. 77, supra. . { No. 78, supra.