A.—No. 15.

10

PAPERS RELATING TO REUNION

No. 4 The Hon. W. Gisborne to His Honor the Superintendent, Southland. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sic,— Wellington, 14th December, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter of the 4th instant, enclosing Eesolutions of the Southland Provincial Council on the subject of the reunion with the Province of Otago; also, copy of Eeport of the Eeunion Commissioners. I have, &c. His Honor the Superintendent, Southland. W. Gisborne.

No. 5. His Honor the Superintendent, Otago, to the Hon. W. Eoy. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 21st December, 1869. The Provincial Council decided in favour of reunion with Southland. The Hon. W. Eox, Wellington. J. Macandrew, Superintendent.

No. 6. The Hon. W. Gisborne to His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. (Telegram.) Buildings, 21st December, 1869. Received your telegram as to reunion with Southland. The Superintendent, Dunedin. Gisborne.

No. 7. The Hon. W. Gisborne to His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. (Telegram.)! Buildings, 12th May, 1870. Please send copy of Eesolutions of Provincial Council deciding in favour of reunion with Southland. The Superintendent, Dunedin. W. Gisborne.

No. 8. His Honor the Superintendent, Otago, to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir,— jpr: Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 13th May, 1870. In accordance with the request contained in your telegram of this date, I forward herewith copies of the Eesolutions passed by the Brovincial Council on the subject of the reunion of Otago and Southland ; together with my Message No. 2, of the Bth December, 1869, and its enclosures. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. Macandrew, Superintendent.

Enclosure 1 in No. 8. Besolution of the Provincial Council of Otago. That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to offer, on behalf of the Provincial Council of Otago, to reunite the two Provinces of Southland and Otago; the basis of union to be determined upon by three members of each Provincial Council, with power to choose an umpire ; such basis to be ratified by each Council. Passed the Provincial Council, 11th May, 1869. Charles Smith, Clerk of Council. William H. Eeynolds, Speaker.

Enclosure 2 in No. 8. Resolutions passed by the Provincial Council of Otago. Resolved, — Council Chambers, 29th November, 1869. That the Report of the Commissioners appointed on behalf of the respective Provinces of Otago and Southland, for the purpose of arranging a basis of union of these two Provinces, be adopted. That some difference of opinion having been expressed by members of the Provincial Council of Southland as to the legitimate interpretation of clause 17 (seventeen) of the Report, it being desirable to secure unanimity of opinion, if possible, on so important a question, this Council is of opinion that no separate account should be kept, and that Southland should receive its share of revenue as an integral portion of Otago. )j That copies of these resolutions be transmitted to His Honor the Superintendent, with a request that he will be pleased to cause steps to be taken, in conjunction with the Government of Otago, to obtain the introduction into the General Assembly, at its first ensuing Session, of a Bill to effect the proposed union. That copies of these resolutions, and of the above-mentioned report, be forwarded to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. True copy resolutions carried by eleven " Ayes" to six " Noes." Duncan McArthur, Clerk of Council. His Honor the Superintendent of Southland.