E.—4b

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No. 52. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet to the Commissionee of Crown Lands, Dunedin. (Telegram.) 12th March, 1875. I hate to-day telegraphed to Superintendent as follows : — " Information has been conveyed to the Government that application has been made to the Waste Lands Board for the purchase of certain lands lying to the seaward of sections 1 to 10, of Block VII., Town District of Dunedin, and of land seaward of Block XII., Dunedin and East Taieri District. So far as Government can ascertain, the land is not waste lands of the Crown open for sale or selection ; but if it be contended that it is, then, in order that no mistake may be made, I have to urge upon you to exercise the power given by section 3 of ' The Otago Waste Lands Act, 1874,' and consent to the withdrawal of the land from sale. I have telegraphed to the Commissioner of Crown Lands urging the Board to withdraw the land with your consent. The land is, as you are aware, part of land applied for by you as Superintendent for the Harbour Trust; moreover, it is clear that land so situated should not be permitted to pass into private hands, shutting out access to the sea. It is evident also that such land should, if sold at all, be sold by public auction after ample notice. Having so telegraphed to Superintendent, I have now to beg of you to urge on the Board the necessity for withdrawing the land from sale under section 3 of' The Waste Lands Act, 1874,' and to get Superintendent's consent." The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin. Daniel Pollen.

No. 53. Mr. J. T. Thomson, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Otago, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. (Telegram.) March 13th, 1875. The application was for a lease, not to purchase, but I opposed it as being below high watermark. I also intimated that I would give no title till reference had been made to Wellington. I will guard General Government interests in the matter. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington1. J. T. Thomson.

No. 54. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Otago. Wellington, 13th March, 1875. Uegent information has been conveyed to the Government that application has been made to the Waste Lands Board for the purchase of certain lands lying to the seaward of sections 1 to 10 of Block VII., Town District of Dunedin, and of land to the seaward of Block XII., Dunedin and East Taieri District. So far as Government can ascertain, the land is not waste lands of the Crown open for sale or selection; if it be contended that it is, then, in order that no mistake may be made, I have to urge upon you to exercise the power given by section 3 of " The Otago Waste Lands Act, 1874," and consent to the withdrawal of the land from sale. I have telegraphed to the Commissioner of Crown Lands urging the Board to withdraw the land with your consent. The land is, as you are aware, part of land applied for by you as Superintendent for the Harbour Trust; moreover, it is clear that land so situated should not be permitted to pass into private hands shutting out access to the sea. It is evident, also, that such land should, if sold at all, be sold by public auction after ample notice. His Honor the Superintendent of Otago, Dunedin. Daniel Pollen.

No. 55. His Honor the Superintendent, Otago, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. (Telegram.) 13th March, 1875. I am not aware that any application has been made to "Waste Lands Board to purchase the land in question, and shall take good care to exercise the right of reserving same either from sale or lease, should public interest require it. I may say, however, that the Government has been calculating upon realizing some £20,000 from this land, with which view directions were given some time ago that it should be surveyed into suitable allotments for disposal by public auction. As a matter of course, a street line will be reserved along high watermark and access secured to the water. You are mistaken in supposing that this land is a portion of that which I applied for to be Crowngranted, which is situated below high watermark. I believe application has been made to have strip of this land sufficient for their railway, to which application Provincial Government fully assents, upon such terms as shall amply protect the public interest. If you will excuse me for saying so, I think the Provincial Government may be safely trusted to perform its duty in relation to this and all other matters. I mention this inasmuch as your telegram would seem to imply that it is otherwise. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. Macandeew.

No. 56. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Otago, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetabt. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 16th March, 1875. Peninsula and Ocean Beach Kailway Company has asked for copies of all correspondence between General and Provincial Governments relative to railway negotiations. Is there any objection to comply with this request ? The Hon. Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. Macandrew.