E.—4.

10

the arrangements now to be made.' Mr. Simpson requests me to say that he will be ready to meet you at any time it may suit you to call; but should you wish to fix a time he will mate it his business to be in readiness. —I have, &c, John- L. Gillies, Secretary." Memorandum: "J. L. Gillies, Esq. Dunedin, 21st February, 1877. —I shall be happy to meet Mr. Simpson re site for railway works, at his office, to-morrow, at 2 p.m. —W. IN". Blair." The matter then passed into the hands of the two Engineers, of whose proceedings the Secretary has no record. On 26th Eebruary, 1877, the Secretary wrote Mr. Blair, " Sir, —I have the honor to inform you that a meeting of the Board's Works Committee is to be held to-morrow (Tuesday) forenoon, in this office, at which you are respectfully requested to attend, at 11.30. —I have, &c, John L. Gillies." Memorandum from Mr. Blair, 2Gth Eebruary, 1877, to Mr. J. L. Gillies : " I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of to-day's date re meeting of Works Committee of the Harbour Board, which I shall be happy to attend. —W. IN". Blaik." Extract minute, Works Committee, 27th Eebruary, 1877: " Interview and conference with Mr. Blair resulted in Mr. Simpson "being instructed to prepare a plan as agreed upon." Extract minute, Works Committee, Bth March, 1877 : " Land for railway plan submitted by the Engineers approved, and, subject to Mr. Blair's assent, plan to be recommended." On 13th March, 1877, Secretary to Hon. W. H. Eeynolds, Chairman, Otago Harbour Board : " Sir, —The Works Committee having authorized the Board's Engineer to submit an approved plan of proposed reserve for railway purposes to Mr. Blair, the General Government's District Engineer, that officer has approved of the same, and will forward it to Wellington for final approval at head-quarters. If you think the matter is now sufficiently advanced I will be glad to receive instructions to call the Eeserves Committee together.—l have, &c, John L. Gillies." Extract minute, Works Committee, 15th March, 1877: "Plan of land for railway purposes to be recommended to the Board." Beported same day to Board and approved. Extract minute, Eeserves Committee, 16th March, 1877 : " Sectional Area and Site for Offices. — That the Engineer be requested to prepare a sketch-plan showing how he would propose to divide the land, keeping in view the proposed extension to Castle Street. Besolvcd, That the Chairman of Works Committee and Chairman of Board wait on Mr. Blair with a view to his urging the Government to decide on laud for railway." Extract minute, Eeserves Committee, 10th April, 1877 : "Sectional Division of Land and Site for New Offices. —Mr. Eattray proposed tho adoption of the plan, which was carried nem. dis. Mr. Eeynolds proposed, subject to the Government consent, That leases should be offered by auction. Carried." Telegram sent by Chairman of the Board, 11th April, 1878: "Hon. G. McLean, Wellington.— Plans ready, and Board anxious to lease sections between Crawford Street and Cross Wharf. Only waiting for assent of Government to plans for reserve of land for railway purposes forwarded through Mr. Blair sometime ago. Be kind enough to look after this. Time favourable for leasing, and Board requires current revenue. —William H. Eeykolbs." Minute 19th April, 1877 : "Bead telegram dated from Hon. G. McLean to Hon. W. H. Eeynolds : ' Have the Board fully made up their minds that the docks are to stand as shown in the plan ? I think it would be better for new Board to say that they approve of the plan as deposited, because if Government once fix station they would refuse to allow any change iri position of docks. It would be well Board distinctly understood this. When this is settled Government would give answer at once. —Geo. McLean.' Mr. Tewsley moved, and Mr. James Mills seconded, ' That this Board confirms its already expressed approval of the plan of railway reserves, position of docks, &c, as agreed upon by the Government District Engineer and the Board's Engineer, and that the Hon. the Minister for Public Works be telegraphed to to that effect, and requesting consent to the Board's at once proceeding with the leasing of the remaimler of reclaimed portions of the Board's endowment.' " Telegram sent 20th April, 1877 : Copy of Board's resolution of previous day, " That the Board confirms," &c. The following reply was received same day from the Under Secretary for Public Works : "As both Hon. Mr. McLean and Hon. Mr. Ormond left town yesterday, please see Mr. McLean re your telegram of to-day on his arrival in Dunedin to-day or to-morrow." Letter addressed to Hon. G. McLean, 20th April, 1877 : " Sir, —I had the honor of forwarding a telegram to yourself and also one to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works this morning on behalf of the Otago Harbour Board, and to which I have received the following reply :' As both, &c.' The telegrams referred to were as follow : ' Hon. G. McLean, Wellington.-—ln case you may have left for the South, reply to your telegram sent to Hon. Minister for Public Works.' —' Hon. Minister for Public Works. —In reply to telegram of Hon. G. McLean, it was resolved that this Board confirm its already expressed approval of the plan of railway reserve, position of docks, &c, as agreed upon by the Government District Engineer and the Board's Engineer ; and that the Hon. the Minister for Public Works be telegraphed to that effect, and requesting consent to the Board at once proceeding with the leasing of the remainder of the reclaimed portion of the Board's endowment.'—l have, &c, John L. Gillies, Secretary." The Secretary received no answer to this, but understood that Mr. McLean had been waited on by the Special Committee : of what transpired there is no record in possession of the Secretary. Extract minute, 19th April, 1877 : " Moved by Mr. Tewsley, seconded by Mr. Hackworth, ' That the Board approves of the plan as submitted, and also the recommendations of the Committee in regard to offering leases by auction at fixed upset prices per foot, and remit to the Committee the carrying out of all details necessary for that purpose as soon as a definite answer is received from the Government in regard to the portion of the Board's endowment required for railway purposes.' Carried." Extract minute, 26th April, 1877 : " His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Beeves) presented a memorial from a large number of the leading merchants of Dunedin, asking the Board to reconsider the question of sites for docks. Several gentlemen spoke in support of same. Several gentlemen spoke in opposition, and requested that time might be given to get up a counter memorial. Discussion ensued. Ultimately decided to leave the question open till next meeting of the Board."