3

I.—6a

On the 19th March, 1877, the Waste Lands Department received instructions from the Hon. the Colonial Secretary to prepare Crown grant for the Harbour Board. On the 27th August, 1877, the Crown grant was issued to the Harbour Board.

Enclosure No. 2. 4th August, 1876. —J. L. Gillies, Secretary for Dunedin Harbour Board, requests the Colonial Secretary to issue Crown grant of land under clause 5 of " Otago Harbour Board Eegulation Act, 1875." 18th August, 1876. —Mr. Seed states that application is for 140 acres, that conditions of law not complied with. 21st August, 1876.—H0n. E. Eichardson states that grant cannot issue until reclamation is made. 29th August, 1876. —J. L. Gillies gives reasons to Hon. the Commissioner of Customs showing that issue of grant is not contrary to law. 7th September, 1876.-—Mr. Seed reiterates objections to issue of grant, and advises reference to Solicitor-General. 21st September, 1876. —Opinion of Solicitor-General is that land should be reclaimed before grant is issued. 22nd September, 1876.—Letter from J, L. Gillies to Hon. G. McLean. 25th September, 1876.—The Commissioner of Customs (G. McLean) advises that grant should issue for that portion between Ocean Beach Eailway and Anderson's Bay Eoad. 14th October, 1876. —Hon. Mr. McLean's minute approved in Cabinet. 17th October, 1876.—Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin, instructed to send plan and description. 14th November, 1876. —J. L. Gillies supplies information to Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin, and sends copies of correspondence with Eailway Company. This correspondence refers to a proposal for shifting the site of the railway line, and the relations subsisting between the Harbour Board and the Eailway Company. 15th November, 1876.—Deputy Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin, forwards to Wellington plan and description of land, in compliance with instructions of 17th October, 1876. 27th November, 1876. —Major Atkinson refers paper to Hon. G. McLean, who instructs survey for accurate description of grant. Ist March, 1877. —Chief Surveyor (Mr. Arthur) forwards tracing of land surveyed, by order of Hon. G. McLean. 10th March, 1877. —J. Giles, by direction of Hon. Secretary for Crown Lands, instructs Commissioner of Crown Lands to prepare grant for 21 acres 3 roods 8 perches, situate between Anderson's Bay Eoad and Ocean Beach Eailway. 26th March, 1877. —J. Giles notes that grant is under " The Otago Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1875," section 5. Correspondence and telegrams as to numbering of grants. 10th May, 1877.—Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin, forwards Crown grant No. 17805 for the signature of Governor. 11th July, 1877.—Grant issued from Crown Lands Office, Wellington. 27th August, 1877. —Grant issued from Land Office, Dunedin, to Harbour Board. Eesolved, on motion of Mr. Harper, that the consideration of this Bill be postponed.

Thursday, 22nd Novembeb, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to notice at 11.30 o'clock. Pbesent: Mr. Curtis in the chair. Mr. Beetham, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. J. E. Brown, Mr. Lumsden, Mr. Bunny, Hon. Mr. Beid. Sir E. Douglas, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Letter, dated Dunedin, 17th November, and enclosure, to the Chairman, were read as follows: — " Otago Harbour Board Office, Dunedin, 17th November, 1877. " Sib, —In accordance with instructions, and as intimated to you by telegram yesterday afternoon, I have now the honor to enclose precis of facts relating to the ten acres of the Board endowment sought to be alienated by the Bill introduced by Mr. Seaton, M.H.E., in favour of South Dunedin Municipality, and now before your honourable Committee, and have to request that you will be pleased to lay the same before the Committee; and, if consistent with rule and practice, the same be embodied or accompany your report to the House. " The Chairman of the Waste Lands Committee of the " I have, &c, " House of Eepresentatives. "John L. Gillies, Secretary." " Enclosure for Waste Lands Committee of Souse of Representatives. " Statement of facts by Otago Harbour Board relating to ten acres of land at present vested in it as part of its endowment, and sought to be alienated to the South Dunedin Municipality by a Bill introduced by Mr. Seaton, and now before the "Waste Lands Committee of the House of Eepresentatives.