1.-IA.

48

[j. ARMSTEAD.

Please signify to me, in writing, your acceptance of the above offer within one month from this date, for failing your acceptance in that time the same will lapse. Yours faithfully, Messrs. More and Sons (Limited), Riverton. W. J. A. McGregor.

Dear Sirs, — Birchwood, Southland, 3rd October, 1910. In consideration of vmi or your nominees extending your proposed railway from Wairio to either of the following points viz., on to Section 182, Wairio district, or on to Section 89, Wairio district —with the object of working the coal thereon, I hereby offer you the following concessions :—- -1. If the railway is extended to Section 182, to grant you one-third of the coal on such section, ni' to grant you the right to mine the whole of tin , coal on the said section on payment of the following royalties on the coal mined viz., 9d. per ton on the first 50,000 tons. (id. per ton on the second 50,000 tons, and 3d. per ton on all coal mined over 100,000 tons. 2. If the railway is extended-to Section 89, to grant you the mining rights over such section subject to the royalties above named. 3. To grant you free of cost any land necessary for such extensions, provided the railway is not more than 33 ft. wide. Irrespective of any extension of the permanent railway beyond Mackenzie's, I hereby agree t<> allow you to lay down a temporary railway through my property for thepurpo.se of conveying ballast. and to grant you free of cost all ballast required for your Wairio Railway. It is understood that the concessions above named are offered subject to your accepting the same within two months, and that the railway extension will be carried out immediately the #ne to McKenzie's pit is completed. yours faithfully, Messrs. More and Sons (Limited), Riverton. A. W. Rodger, Jun.

Dbar Sir, — Invercargill, 4th March, 1913. Your letter re purchase of coal was submitted to a meeting of the Wairio Railway and Coal Company (Limited) on Saturday evening, and, subject to our having no difficulties with the Railway Department, we think that we will be in a position three months after the opening of the line to take coal from you at the rate of 25 tons per day, and three months later at the rate of 50 tons per day, the price to be seven shillings (75.) per ton for first-class coal, and :',s. fen- nuts, delivered into trucks at our terminus. Yours faithfully. James Hunter, Secretary, Wairio Railway and Coal Company (Limited). Mr. J. T. Hunter, representing Moss's Syndicate, Wairio.

Dbab Sirs. Invercargill, 20th March, 1913. Replying to your letter of the Bth instant addressed to Mr. Thomas More, we have to say that we will lie pleased to arrange with you to take your coal as soon as possible. How much we could take would depend on the facilities given by the Government Railway Department in supplying plenty of trucks. We think it would be possible for us to take 25 tons a day three months after the opening of the railway, and up to 50 tons a day three months later. For this we would be willing to pay Bs. per ton on trucks at our terminus if the coal is equal to the quality Mr. Moss is mining alongside the Morley Creek. For nuts we would pay 'is. on trucks. The proposal that this company should join with vim in laying a small line from your lease to our terminus would have to be considered by all the shareholders. 1 will bring it up at the first meeting. Yours faithfully, James Hunter, Secretary, Wairio Railway and Coal Company (Limited). Messrs. Smith and McGregor, Mount Linton. Dkar Sirs,— '" Invercargill, 27th March, 1913. Replying to yours of the 26th instant. 1 have to say that the matter of quoting for carriage of your coal would have to be considered by a full meeting of shareholders. As you no doubt know. we are entitled under the Order in Council to charge ss. 6d. a ton, and I assume that your request for a quotation may be regarded as an indication that you wish a, lower rate. As a matter of fact, we do not know what it would cost us to carry (lie coal. I will get a meeting together as early as I can to consider the matter. Yours faithfully. James Hunter, Secretary. Wairio Railway and Coal Company (Limited). Messrs. Smith and McGregor, Mount Linton.

Dkar Sirs,— Tnvercargill, 29th April, 1913. Replying to your letter of the 26th instant, received to-day, I have to say that the questions you ask as to (I) your clients connecting their extension with our terminus, and (2) the matter of selling the railway to your clients, would have to be referred to a full meeting of shareholders. Unfortunately, two of the shareholders are absent from Southland at present, and if will not be possible to get them all together for at leasi three weeks. However, I will call a meeting as soon as there is a chance of getting them together. The idea of selling the line has never, so far as lam aware, occurred to any of our members, and I think it very unlikely that they will want to sell. Tf your client wjshes to buy.