9

D.—B

No. 16. The Town Cleek to the Seceetaey, Marino Department. Sir,— Wellington, 11th March, 1882. Referring to my letter of the 9th instant, addressed to the Hon. the Minister administering the Marine Department, I have the honor to forward herewith the plans and specifications therein mentioned. I have, &c, J. E. Page, The Under-Secretary, Marine Department. Eor Town Clerk.

No. 17. Memorandum for the Hon. the Minister, Marine Department. I have already expressed an opinion on this matter, as the plans now forwarded (M.D. 619) show the same line of reclamation as submitted in the first set of plans forwarded by the City Council, and to which I objected. As you are aware, the Wellington Harbour Board were asked to express an opinion on a line showing the proposed limits of the reclamation, as modified by me after conference with Mr. Baird and the Harbourmaster. The opinion of the Harbour Board, as expressed in a resolution, was to the effect that a line nearly midway between the City Council's line and mine would meet the case. I am sorry to say I cannot concur in this opinion, and would draw your attention to the evidence given by the Harbourmaster and three Bhip-captains before the Harbour Board, during their inquiry into this matter. (See report of meetings of Harbour Board, Evening Post, 21st avid 22nd February, 1882.) This evidence all tends to show that the navigation of the harbour will be injured if the City Council is allowed to reclaim as proposed, and fully verifies my former remarks. I, therefore, cannot recommend the plans now submitted for approval, but must certify instead that the work, if so carried out, will in my opinion be and tend to the injury of navigation. I submit that the line, as modified by me on plan sent to the Wellington Harbour Board (part copy M.D. 589), represents the limit to which reclamation in this part of the harbour should be allowed. The line starts from a point A (plau M.D., 589) on the Queen's AVharf, 86 feet landward of the inner face of the inner southern T ; thence to a point on line MN, 120 feet landward of M; thence curved round to a point on line TJ V, 165 feet landward of point U. John Blackett, Marine Office, 14th March, 1882. Marine Engineer.

No. 18. The Town Cleek to the Secretary, Marine Department. Sib,— Wellington, 20th March, 1882. In connection with the letter from this office dated the 9th March, covering plans and specifications of the Te Aro foreshore reclamation, I am instructed to ask whether the Marine Department has or has not submitted the plans to the Governor in Council. As the Council is anxious to obtain an early answer, you would oblige by replying to this communication so soon as may be convenient to yourself. I have, <&c, J. E. Page, The Secretary, Marine Department. Eor Town Clerk.

No. 19. The Secretary, Marine Department, to the Town Cleek. Sir, — Marine Department, Wellington, 21st March, 1882. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of j our letter of yesterday's date, and in reply to inform you that the plans and specifications of the proposed Te Aro reclamation forwarded with your letter of the 9th instant have been duly received, and are now under consideration. I have, &c, H. S. McKellae, The Town Clerk, Wellington. Eor Secretary.

No. 20. The Town Cleek to the Secretary, Marine Department.. Sir,— Wellington, 27th March, 1882. Eeferring to my previous letters of the 9th and 20th instant, and to your reply to the letter dated the 21st instant, in reference to the plans and specifications'of the proposed Te Aro reclamation, I have again the honor to request that you will be good enough to inform me what further steps have been taken in reference thereto. A great deal of valuable time having been already lost, the City Council are most anxious to commence operations without any further delay, and therefore trust that you will be able to advise them that the proposed plans have now been approved by the Governor in Council. 1 have, &c, Charles C. Graham, The Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. Town Clerk.

2—l). 8.