COUNCIL PAPERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1479, 23 November 1872, Page 2

COUNCIL PAPERS.

« THE CATHEPRAL SITE. Superintendent's Office, Christchurch, June 21st, 1872. The Diocesan Secretary. Sir,. — In accordance with a resolution of the Provincial Council I am directed by his Honor the Superintendent to communicato with you for tho purpose of ascertaining whether there is any present intention, on the part of tho church authorities, to sell the site of tho proposed Cathedral, and, if not. whether there is any probability of its being at any timo offered for sale. If it is for sale I shall bo glad to learn whether those who havo it for disposal are ready to enter into negotiation with the Provincial Government with a a view of its being purchased for a site for the erection of offices tor the Colonial Government,, and I would ask you in reply to indicate generally the terms on which the purchase could be made. I should feel obliged if you would lay this latter before the proper authorities. I have the lioner to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Walter Kennaway, Provincial Secretary. , P.S. — It would probably bo convenient if the standing committee would name one or more of their body to coiifer with tho Govern* ment on the matter.

The College Library, June 22nd, 1872. Sir, — Your letter dated June 21st, 1872, was laid by me before the standing committee at a meeting held yesterday (June 21st). I have been instructed by them to inform you in reply, that the Synod has nob sanctioned the sale of the Cathedral site, but that if the Government were to make such a definite offer for the site, as would seem to the standing committee to bo a reasonable one, they would be prepared to recommend the Bishop to convene a special meeting of the Synod to consider the proposal, fii accordance with the suggestion made in your letter, tho standing committee have appointed two members of their body, the Archdeacon of Christchurch and P. Hanmer, Esq., to confer with the Government on this matter. I am, yours faithfully, G. Cotterill, Diocesan Sec. W. Kennaway, Esq., Provincial Secretary. Provincial Secretary's Office, Christchurch, July 16, 1872. , Rev Sir, — In reference to your communica-

tion of the 22nd June, relative to the Cathedral site, I am directed to inform you that the Government are prepared to offer the sum of •£BOOO for that portion of Cathedral square set apart for the site of a cathedral. Such amount to be paid half in cash and half in waste lands, valued nt £2 per acre. This offer to be subject to the final approval of the Provincial Council at its next- session. If, after the receipt of this offer the Standing Committee would wish to have an interview with the Government on the matter, the Government would be glad to meet the gentlemen named in your letter on any day which may be considered most convenient. I have the honour to be, Eev Sir, Your obedient servant, Walter Kennaway, Provincial Secretary.

The College Library, July 23, 1872. Sir, — I have been directed by the Standing Committee to inform you that they have taken into consideration the proposal contained in your letter dated July 16, 1872, with respect to the Cathedral site, and have requested Archdeacon Wilson and Messrs P. Hanmer and R.. Cobb, members of their body, to confer with the Executive Council on the j subject. j By addressing Archdeacon Wilson, you will j he able to arrange a meeting with these gentlemen. ! I am yours faithfully, i G. Cotterill, .;■-.,. Dio. Sec. For the Provincial Secretary.

'Provincial Secretary's Office, Christchurch, Aug. 9, 1872. Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that since meeting the Archdeacon of Christchurch; Mr Hanmer, and Mr Cobb, the Government have re-considered the question of purchasing the site of the Cathedral, and have determined to offer, subject to the final approval of the Provincial Council, the sum of £10,000 (to be paid half in cash and half in waste lands) for that part of Cathedral square set apart for that purpose. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, Waxteb Kennawat, Provincial Secretary. The Diocesan Secretary.

The College, Aug. 13, 1872. Sir,— l beg to inform you that your letter dated Aug. 9, 1872, will be laid before a meeting of the Standing Committee to be held on Monday next, Aug. 19. I am yours faithfully, G. Cottebill, Dio. Sec. For the Provincial Secretary.

The College, Aug. 20, 1872. Sir, — I have been instructed to inform you with referenco to the offer of the Government for the Cathedral site mentioned in your letter dated Aug. 9, 1872, that the Standing Committee do not consider that the Synod would accept the offer of the Government cm the terms proposed. The Bishop, however, is prepared to convene a special meeting of the Synod if the Government will alter the mode -of payment and give at least £8000 in cash and the remaining £2000 in land. I am yours faithfully. G. Cottemll, Dio. Sec. For the Provincial Secretary. *"

Provincial Secretary's Office, Christchurch, August. 21-th, 1872. Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th inst., with reference to the offer of the Government for the Cathedral site, in which you 3tatc that the standing committee do not consieler that the Synod would accept that offer on the terms proposed ; but that the Bishop would be prepared to convene a special meeting of the Synod if the Government will alter tho mode of payment, aud give at least £8000 in cash, and the remaining £2000 in land. In reply, I have tho honour to inform you that the Government decline to make any alteration in the offer already made. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Walter Kennaway, Provincial Secretary. The Diocesan Secretary.

The College, August 27th, 1872. Sir, — I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated August 21th, 1872, and to inform you that it will be laid before the standing committee at their next meeting. I am, Youis faithfully, G. Cottehill, Dio Sec. For the Provincial Secretary.

I PUBLIC WORKS. Memo, for tho Hon. E. Richardson. j Tho Provincial Government has, at the present time, a considerable sum of money in hand — the proceeds of Land Fund. It is very desirable that no time should be lost in pressing on the railways both North and South. If the Government would favourably con- • .aider a proposal that the province Bhould deTote, say, £50,000 to each of these railways, <or to any other railways which may be agreed upon, and should press on those works without delay on the understanding that the proTince would be reimbursed on completion of the works, I shall be glad to make a proposal -to the Provincial Council to that effect. I shall be happy to co-operate with the Government on behalf of the province in forwarding the radways, and would urge upon them, that in good faith to the purchasers of

land, there should be as little delay as possible. W. ROLLESTUy. 24th October, 1872.

Christchurch, 4th November, 1872. Sir, — In reply to your Honor's proposal to advance provincial funds in view of expediting the railway works in Canterbury, I have the honour to state' that the General Government ha 3 no occasion to avail itself of your offer. The surveys and plans for the proposed works are all in a forward state, and as soon as the material, which has been ordered from England some time since, arrives in the colony, there will be no obstacle in the way of the expeditious progress of the works. 1 have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Edward Richardson, j His Honor the Superintendent of j Canter bury. j