B—No. 5

No. 1. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF OTAGO TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, October 16 th, 1861. Sir, — In conformity with the 2nd cause of the "Otago and Sou Wand Public Debt Apportionment Act, 18G1." I have the honour to inform you that I have appointed Thomas Bannatyne Gillies, Esq., as arbitrator in behalf of this Province, and that he has consented to act on condition that the arbitration should take place at Djnedin, where all the records, maps. &c, connected with the past arc kept, and I have informed him that there is every prospect of so reasonable a request being complied with. On hearing from you in reply to this communication I will again communicate with Mr. Gillies. 1 have, &c, J. Richardson, Superintendent. To the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

No. 2. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF OTAGO. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 2nd November, 18G1. Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter dated 16th ultimo, 9tating that in conformity with 2nd clause of the "Otago and Southland Public Debt Apportioment Act, 1801,"you had appointed Mr. T. B. Gillies as arbitrator on behalf of the Province of Otago under that Act, and that he had consented to Act on condition that the arbitration take place at Dunedin. The Superintendent of Southland has not as yet notified any appointment of Arbitrator on behalf of that Province, but I will communicate with him on the subject. The place at which the arbitration should take place seems to be properly a question for the consideration of the Arbitrators themselves and the General Government has no power to interfere. I have, &c, W. Fox. His Honor the Superintendent of Otago.

No. 3. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SOUTHLAND. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 2nd Kovember, 1861. Sir,— I have the honor to enclose for your information copies of correspondence between the Superintendent of Otago and the Government on the subject of the appointment of an arbitrator on behalf

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APPORTIONMENT OF THE PUBLIC DEBT PAP E E S RELATIVE TO THE APPORTIONMENT OF THE PUBLIC DEBT BETWEEN THE PROVINCES OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.