3

E.—4.

Enclosure in No. 4 Exteact from Otago Harbour Board's Minutes of 28th May, 1877. Moved by Mr. Walter, seconded by Mr. John Mills, " That only one dock be made, the centre to be in a line with Stuart Street; and that the rocky walling be carried on as per Mr. Proudfoot's contract, in order that in years to come, should a second dock be required, the same may be done at a comparatively small cost." Ayes (5) : Messrs. Walter, James Mills, John Mills, James Battray, and Henry Tewsley. Noes (4) : Messrs. Fish, Butherford, Ramsay, and Reynolds. The motion was therefore declared carried. Mr. Tewsley moved, and Mr. Waiter seconded, " That it be remitted to the Special Committee on Contracts to take the proper steps for giving effect to the resolution just carried." Carried on the voices. (True extract.) John L. Gillies, Secretary.

No. 5. The Seceetaey, Otago Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Woeks. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 15th June, 1877. Last meeting of Board, Special Committee unanimously appointed to negotiate with Government by telegraph as to permanently fixing the site for railway goods sheds between Battray Street and Stuart Street; or would consent be given to permanently leave good sheds as they are at present ? An affirmative answer, it is believed, would enable the Board to come final decision on the dock question. Please reply as soon as possible. John L. Gillies, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Secretary.

No. 6. The Hon. the Commissionee of Customs to the Seceetaey, Otago Harbour Board. (Telegram.) Wellington, 21st June, 1877. Aptee giving careful consideration to your letter to me of 30th ultimo, telegram to Minister for Public Works of 15th instant, and perusal of the published reports of the various meetings of the Board, the Government have decided to ask the Board to adhere to the plans as deposited, and which have received the sanction of the Governor. The sheds will not be removed from their present position so long as space will permit the traffic to be worked advantageously, but it is easy to foresee that in time the increase of traffic will necessitate their removal, so that the Government could not comply with the wishes of the Board, and guarantee their remaining in their present position permanently. The Government will not exercise their right of taking any of the reclaimed land between Rattray and Jetty Streets. The Government have delayed their reply in the hope that the Board would come to some decision nearly unanimous, but, the opinions of members being nearly equally divided, the Government have no other course left but to adhere to original plans. The Secretary, Otago Harbour Board, Dunedin. Geo. McLean.

No. 7. The Seceetaey, Otago Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Commissioner of Customs. Sic,— Otago Harbour Board Office, Dunedin, 26th June, 1877. I have the honor to transmit the following resolution arrived at this day at a meeting of the Board: —■ Besolution. " That, having heard Mr. Simpson's report upon the question submitted to him re dock site, the Board decide to adopt the plan submitted by Mr. Walter at a meeting held on the 13th June, providing the cost, including the removal of the rocky walling, does not exceed £1,000." Moved by Mr. Fish, and seconded by Mr. Walter. Ayes (5) : Messrs. Fish, Walter, Butherford, John Mills, and Beynolds. Noes (4) :J. Hockworth, R. Ramsay, Jas. Rattray, and Henry Tewsley. I enclose a copy of the proposed alteration —namely, to abolish on the original plan the docks marked " import " and " export," and substitute the dock as shown on the tracing enclosed. I am instructed to request that the assent of the Government be given to the proposed alteration, provided Mr. Proudfoot agrees to the same at a cost not to exceed in all £1,000. I have, &c, John L. Giilies, To the Hon. the Commissioner of Customs. Secretary. P.S. —Having received an answer from Mr. Proudfoot, I have the honor to attach copy of letter sent him, and his reply ; and, as every day's delay is prejudicial to the Board's interests, lam instructed to request a reply by telegram at your very earliest convenience.

Enclosure 1 in No. 7. The Seceetaey, Otago Harbour Board, to Mr. D. Pboudeoot. g IB Otago Harbour Board Office, Dunedin, 26th June, 1877. I have the honor to forward you the following resolution arrived at by the Board this day in