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No. 7. Mejioeanditm: by Mr. Seed. 16th March, 1874. I hate only to-day received a plan showing the whole area applied for, hence the delay that has occurred in submitting this report to you. The plan which was put up with the Superintendent's letter (or got with those papers in some way), and which was referred to Mr. Blackett, only shows a very small portion of the area of the projected, reclaimed land (15 acres 1 rood 28 perches, out of the 48 acres asked for). I did not discover this until after the papers came back from Mr. Blackett. As soon as I did, however, I went to the Chief Surveyor of the province, and asked for a tracing of the plan of the land described in the schedule enclosed in Mr. Pitzherbert's letter. Mr. Jackson sent me this to-day. I think it should go to Mr. Blackett for any further remarks he may have to offer thereon. His observations in this memorandum show conclusively, I think, the great danger there would be of the Port of Wanganui being seriously injured, if the grant of land asked for were to be made unconditionally. I think that Mr. Blackett's proposals should bo adopted, and that any grant to be made should only be of such an extent as he thinks would not be injurious to tho port; that it should be made subject to conditions to be prescribed by him as to the plan of reclamation, and how it should be carried out; and further and especially, that there should be reserved out of the reclamation a public thoroughfare on the bank of the river along the entire extent of the land to be granted. The Attorney-General appears to be of opinion (see his minute of 19th January) that an Act should be passed authorizing this grant before it is made. As the Government will no doubt concur in that opinion, I recommend that Mr. Blackett be asked to specify what area he thinks may properly be granted for reclamation, without detriment to the river and entrance ; and what conditions ought to be imposed as to the mode of reclamation. On his supplying this information, a definite reply can then be made to His Honor the Superintendent's letter of the 16th January last. The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs. W. Seed.

No. 8. Memoeandtjm No. 2 by Mr. Blackett. Wanganui River Foreshore Grant. Me. Seed— 21st May, 1874. I received the large tracing, showing what is asked for in connection with the above, and have reconsidered the matter, as requested. I do not find it necessary to alter my first memorandum, nor the plan accompanying it, but have sent with this and the Plan No. 3, showing what lilies I think the reclamation, if any, should take above and below the points already described. These are shown in red, and it will be observed that they are made to strike with suitable curves the salient points of the river bank above the town, and are marked with distances and angles below the town. I may here be allowed to express an opinion that it will be premature to give any rights over the foreshore pending the decision as to what direction the branch line of railway will take from the main line to the Town of Wanganui. Tou will observe, on Plan No. 3, tho defined position of the railway bridge, and it is, to say the least, highly probable that from that point, or near it, a branch line will be made to the town about a mile and three-quarters distant. This consideration should also influence the manner in which the reclaimed land in front of the town should be laid out for building, as should the branch line be made to connect with the shipping —as it almost certainly will be—a considerable space, both'as to length and breadth, will be required for a railway station. Until we have sufficient information on this head in detail, it will be well to reserve all rights now held by the General Government. John Blackett.

No. 9. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic. — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 11th April, 1874. I have the honor to request that you will bo good enough to reply to my letter of the 16th January last, in which I forwarded you a copy of a resolution passed by the Provincial Council, on the 15th of the same month, with regard to the issue of a grant of a block of land in the bed of the Wanganui Biver, containing forty-eight (4S) acres, more or less, to the Mayor, Councillors, and citizens of the Borough of Wanganui, for the purpose of reclamation. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, William Pitzheebeet, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 10. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey to His Honor the Stjpeetntendent, Wellington. Sic,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 14th April, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, in which you ask for a reply to your previous communication of the 16th January last, forwarding a resolution passed by the Provincial Council on the 15th of the same month, with regard to the issue of a grant of a block of land in the bed of the Wanganui Biver, containing forty-eight acres, more or less, to the Councillors and Citizens of the Borough of Wanganui, for the purpose of reclamation.