ERECTION OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS IN CHRISTCHURCH, (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1875 Session I, E-08

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1875. NEW ZEALAND.

ERECTION OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS IN CHRISTCHURCH, (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO).

Seturn to an Order of the House of Eepresentalives, dated 25th August, 1875, " That there be laid before this House copies of all correspondence and telegrams between the Government and the Superintendent and Provincial Executive Council of Canterbury relative to the erection of Government buildings in the city of Christchurch."— (Mr. Webb.)

No. 1. His Honor the Stoeeintendent, Canterbury, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Superintendent's Office, Christchurch, Canterbury, N.Z., Sib,— 6th March, 1874. I have the honor to enclose copy of a resolution passed during the last session of the Provincial Council, expressing an opinion that competitive designs should be invited from architects for the General Government public offices to be erected in Christchurch, and that a Commission of three gentlemen be appointed to select the best design: the General Government and Provincial Government each to appoint one Commissioner, the two Commissioners to appoint the third. I should be glad to learn that the General Government agree to the proposal contained in the resolution. In the event of their doing so, I nominate, on behalf of the Provincial Government, Mr. C. C. Bowen. I would suggest that the Commission should be asked to draw up the general terms and description of building, with accommodation required, so as to guide the competing architects as to the character of the design to be approved. I have, &c, "W. Eolleston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 1. Provincial Council Chambers, 22nd January, 1874. Resolution passed,—" That this Council is of opinion that competitive designs should be invited from architects for the General Government public offices to be erected in Christchurch, and that a Commission of three gentlemen be appointed to select the best design, the General Government and Provincial Government each to appoint one Commissioner, the two Commissioners to appoint the third."

No. 2. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet to His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. Sib,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 20th March, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, in which you enclose copy of a resolution of the Provincial Council recommending that the designs for public offices, proposed to be erected in Christchurch, bo submitted to competition; and "that a Commission of three

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gentlemen be appointed to select the best design, the General Government and the Provincial Government each to appoint one Commissioner, the two Commissioners to appoint the third;" and stating that the Provincial Government have appointed Mr. C. C. Bowen in terms thereof. In reply, I beg to inform your Honor that Sir I\ D. Bell has consented to act on behalf of the General Government, and I suggest that Mr. Bowen should be asked to put himself in communication with that gentleman. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury. D. Pollen.

No. 3. His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Superintendent's Office, Christchurch, Canterbury, Sie,— 24th March, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 74-562, 20th March, 1874, and, in reply, to state that Mr. Bowen has been requested to place himself in communication with Sir Francis Dillon Bell, the Commissioner appointed by the General Government in the matter of the selection of the best design for proposed public offices in Christchurch. I have, &c, W. Eolleston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. , Superintendent.

No. 4. His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 14th July, 1875. Ee public buildings, Morton will not take less than £5,000 for his quarter-acre : Provincial Government thinks this excessive, and that £4,000 is the limit to which it would be justified in going. If General Government thinks the existing quarter-acre insufficient in addition to site for Eesident Magistrate's Court, and is prepared to pay the other £1,000, we will close with Morton on understanding that General Government will proceed with building to extent of vote. Offer is open till 20th. W. Eolleston. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

No. 5. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Canterbury. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th July, 1875. What is the number of the section now held in Cathedral Square by Provincial Government ? Is it seven two nine, or seven three one ? Please reply early. Edwaed Eichaedson. His Honor W. Eolleston, Christchurch.

No. 6. His Honor the Supebintendent, Canterbury, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 16th July, 1875. Number of section is seven three one. W. Eolleston. Hon. E. Eichardson, Wellington.

No. 7. The Hon. the Minister for Public Wohks to His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th July, 1875. Re public building and site, Christchurch. If Provincial Government will not buy extra quarter-acre from Morton, so as to hand over half-an-acre in Cathedral Square, will you agree to contribute the £4,000 you now appear ready to spend in land to the General Government, together with the quarter-acre section now held by your Honor, and the necessary site near Supreme Court for Eesident Magistrate's Court ? The money so handed over to be used in the building, which will probably, when the designs are made out, require to be an extra story in height This would give the Government £18,500 for the building. If you agree to these proposals, be good enough to forward me the exact dimensions of the site in Cathedral Square. Edwabd Eolleston. Hia Honor W. Eolleston, Christchurch.

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No. 8. His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Woeks. (Telegram.) Christehurch, 17th July, 1875. Re public buildings. Provincial Government objects to proposal for three stories ; and considers that its proposal contained in telegram of 14th instant is the only one it would be justified in submitting to Provincial Council. Offer lapses on 20th. Please reply. W. Ro-LLESTON. Hon. E. Richardson, Wellington. No. 9. The Hon. the Ministee for Public Wobks to His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th July, 1875. Re public buildings, Christchurch. As the General Government have the half-acre site now occupied by the Godley statue, it will not be prudent to relinquish the idea of building there, unless we get a site as large elsewhere; and, as Provincial Government decline to contribute to building, General Government considers it ought to provide the land necessary. Edward Richardson. His Honor W. Rolleston, Christchurch. By Authority: Gbobgb Dibsbcby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7s. Price 3d.]