I.—6a.

2

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The memorandum for the Chairman, dated 15th November (The South Duuedin Eeserve Bill), was read. Resolved, on motion of the Hon. Mr. Eeid, That the Bill intituled " The South Dunedin Eeserve Act, 1577," be considered. Preamble read and postponed. Clause 1 read. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Bunny, That further consideration of this Bill be postponed until Monday, at 11 o'clock, and that Mr. J. McKerrow, Assistant Surveyor-General, be summoned to attend the Committee, with all information possible to be procured respecting the block of land referred to in the Schedule. Mr. Seaton, M.H.E., and Mr. J. McKerrow were present during the consideration of the Bill by the Committee.

Monday, 19th November, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at 11 o'clock. Peesent: Mr. Curtis in the chair. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Hamlin, Mr. Beetham, Mr. Harper, Mr. Bunny, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. J. E. Brown, Mr. Lumsden, Sir E. Douglas, Hon. Mr. Eeid. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Committee resumed consideration of the Bill intituled " The South Dunedin Eeserve Act, 1877." The Hon. Mr. Macandrew, being in attendance, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter present. Telegram to the Chairman was read as follows: — " Dunedin, 16th November, 1877. "Eespecting the ten acres of Dunedin foreshore applied for by Mr. Seaton to be vested in South Dunedin Municipality, I am directed to inform you that the ten acres in question were included in this Board's Endowment Act, 1875, two months before the Municipality existed. By request of the Board, I shall send you by first post a precis of the circumstances, to show that this Board have become openly and legally possessed of the land which forms part of the security given to debentureholders. " Johk L. Gillies, "Secretary Otago Harbour Board." Memorandum to the Chairman from Assistant Surveyor-General was read as follows: — " I have Mr. Maunsell's letter of 17th instant, requesting my attendance before the Waste Lands Committee at 11 a.m. to-day. I have also been summoned to appear before a Committee of the Legislative Council at 10.30 a.m ; and as my attendance there may jorevent me from appearing precisely at 11 a.m. before your Committee, I send the papers re "South Dunedin Eeserve," with the explanation that Mr. Lakeman (the officer in charge of Otago documents) informs me that the papers relating to the application of the Municipality of South Dunedin and the action of Provincial Executive thereon are with the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin. But from his index book, supplemented by a telegram which I had from Chief Surveyor, Dunedin, on Saturday, Mr. Lakeman has been able to give & precis of the subject, which may suffice. (Enclosure No. 1.) " Please also find papers beginning with request (4th August, 1876) of J. L. Gillies, Secretary of Otago Harbour Board, to Colonial Secretary, for Crown grant, and ending 11th July, 1877, with issue of same from office of Secretary of Crown Lands in favour of Harbour Board. On looking over these papers, I noted what appeared to me the main points in the correspondence. (Enclosure No. 2.) "J. McKeeeow, "Assistant Surveyor-General."

Enclosure No. 1. Proposed Endowment, South Dunedin Municipality, 25th September, 1876.—Clerk to South Dunedin Municipality.—Applied for an extension of the boundary of the municipality to include a certain area indicated. 2nd October, 1876. —Under Secretary.—lnstructed the Chief Surveyor to furnish a description. 18th October, 1876.—Chief Surveyor. —Furnished description of proposed extension; also of proposed endowment of ten acres of Crown land between Anderson's Bay Road and the Peninsula and Ocean Bay Eailway. Executive Council, 24th October, 1876.—-Eesolved to recommend the "Waste Lands Board to reserve temporarily from sale the area shown on attached description of proposed endowment, with a view to its being legally vested in the Municipality for public purposes. 30th October, 1876.—Acting Under Secretary.—Forwarded to the Waste Lands Board for its information and guidance. On the Ist November, 1876, the Waste Lands Board complied with the recommendation of the Government, and temporarily reserved the area, as per description, from sale. On the Bth November, 1876, the Waste Lands Board rescinded their resolution to temporarily reserve the area from sale.