E.—4

2

3. That, when the shipping trade of the port increases so as to render the berthage within this basin insufficient, additional accommodation can easily be obtained by using the face-line of walling now in course of construction from the end of Battray Street Jetty in the direction of the First Dock, and continuing that facing as required. 4. In carrying out the recommendation of the Chamber care to be taken that nothing is done in any way to affect existing contracts to the prejudice of the Board. Eesolution 11. That the Chamber of Commerce desires very strongly to urge upon the Government that the site best suited for the railway goods station in Dunedin is that block of reclaimed land immediately in front of the Universal Bond, for the following reasons:—■ 1. It is contiguous to that basin marked in the Harbour Board plan herewith for inter-colonial and inter-provincial steamers. 2. That, when the southern site of this basin is extended out to the point indicated in the said plan, it will give a berthage accommodation of between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, or nearly 2,000 feet more than the berthage of the two piers at Port Chalmers. 3. That this berthage is amply sufficient for the shipping trade of the port at present, and for many years to come. 4. That, when the shipping trade of the port increases so as to render the berthage within this basin insufficient, additional accommodation can easily be obtained by using the face-line of walling now in course of construction from the end of the Battray Street Jetty, in the direction of the First Dock, and continuing that facing as required. 5. That, by using the present steamer basin for berthing all our import and export sailing vessels and steamers, the convenience and economy of the whole commerce of the port would be conserved. I am, &o, J. Webb, The Hon. George McLean. Secretary.

No. 3. Memorialists, Dunedin, to the Hon. the Commissioner of Customs. Dunedin, 4th May, 1877. The memorial of the undersigned merchants and others respectfully showeth, — 1. That, in the opinion of the memorialists, the sites selected for the proposed docks as shown on the present plan adopted by the Harbour Board are quite unsuitable, being far removed from the centre of the commerce of the city, all the merchants' offices, bonded and other stores, Custom House, Post and Telegraph Offices, &c. 2. That, as the Government purpose placing the goods station adjacent to the docks, them convenience and loss which will follow the transfer of all tho goods traffic of the city from the position it now occupies will be very great, and inflict a most serious and unnecessary injury to the interests of nearly every one engaged in the trade of the port. 3. That the natural and most convenient site for the shipping of Dunedin is the present basin between Jetty and Battray Streets, which, with the proposed; extension of the southern side, your memorialists believe would meet all the requirements of imports and exports for many years to come. 4. That the proper site for the goods railway station is on the square block of reclaimed land opposite the Universal Bond, or alternatively this area might be used for the passenger station, and the whole of the triangular block at present used for both goods and passengers appropriated for goods traffic. This site is bounded by Battray, High, and Castle Streets, and has a ready outlet to the main thoroughfares, both north and south. Tour memorialists therefore trust the Government will see its way to aid in giving effect to their views, which they are satisfied represent the feeling of almost the entire commercial community of Dunedin. ' Daegety, Nichoes, and Co. Edwin J. Spence. W. J. Levin and Co. The Hon. G. McLean. [And 58 other signatures.]

No. 4. The Seceetaey, Otago Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Commissioned of Customs. gnj Otago Harbour Board Office, Dunedin, 30th May, 1877. I have the honor, by direction of the Special Committee appointed to carry out the resolution of the Board in re site of docks, copy of which is attached, to ask whether they will give their assent to move the docks southward as proposed by Mr. Walter; or, secondly, whether they will give their assent to move the dock southward to any line (convenient to the Board.) between the site on the original plan and that proposed by Mr. Walter, the reason for the alternative proposal being that the rocky walling has been already run to a point about in a line with Stuart Street. I have, &o, John L. G-illies, The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs. Secretary. p g.—Tracing attached shows position of docks on original plan as already assented to, marked in black, and also the position according to Mr. Walter's motion, marked in red.