The tenders are to be opened in the presence of the Agent-General, who will deter mine as to their acceptance or otherwise. All discounts and allowances are to be received by the Government; and as the purchase of railway material was an item on which the contractors would under Contract 2 have made a profit of 5 per cent, a commission to that amount had been allowed them for their ad vice and assistance, now that it is to be purchased by the Government direct. The following are the railways that have been con tracted for by Messrs Brogden :

The cost of several of these railways will be in excess of the Parliamentary limit, chiefly arising from the largely increased price of iron ; but if this limit had not been exceeded, operations would have been entirely stopped. The Government determined to incur the re sponsibility, and will ask the House to approve the course adopted. Before leaving the subject of the Brogden contracts, he referred to an opinion widely circulated, to the effect that the rates at which these contract have been let are excessive. And stated that the most careful consideration had been given by the Government to this subject. The settlement of these contracts had only been effected after long, minute in quiry, and in conformity with the advice of the Engineer-in-Chief, given after careful in vestigation. The Government has had thrown upon it great responsibility in having to let contracts for such large works without the test of public competition. When the engage ments to Messrs Brogden are completed, the Government proposes to submit all contracts to public tender. He believed, however, that the prices at which Messrs Brogden have con tracted to construct these railways are fair and reasonable. When the difficult nature of the country through which these railways have to be carried, together with the largely increased price of iron, are considered, it will be allowed, that the cost at which these railways are to be constructed and equipped, viz, an average of £4,865 per mile, would compare most favor ably with the cost of similar works in any other country in the world. 