E.—B,

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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.