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Extract minute, 3rd May, 1877 : " It was agreed to receive the deputation that was in waiting, opposed to the moving of the dock sites. Mr. Chapman presented the memorial, when it was agreed that the Chairman intimate that it would be taken into favourable consideration." Then the discussion of the dock sites continued from meeting to meeting, until the Secretary was instructed to forward a resolution passed on the 28th May. Letter to Hon. Commissioner of Customs, 30th May, 1877 : " Sir, —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 consent 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 on a line with Stuart Street. —I have, &c , John L, Gillies. P.S.— Tracing attached shows position of docks on original plan as already assented to marked in black, and also the position according to Mr. Walter marked in red." Extract from Otago Harbour Board's minutes of 28th May, 1877 : " Moved by Mr. Walter, seconded by Mr. John Mills, ' That only one dock be made, the centre to be in a line with Stuart Street, and that the rocky walling bo carried on as per Mr. Proudfoot's contract, in order that in years to come, should a second dock be required, the same may be done" at a comparatively small cost.' Ayes (5), Messrs. Walter, James Mills, John Mills, James Battray, and Henry Tewsley ; noes (4), Messrs. Eish, Butherford, Eamsay, and Eeynolds. The motion was therefore declared carried. Mr. Tewsley proposed, and Mr. Walter seconded, ' That it be remitted to the Special Committee on Contracts, to take the proper steps for giving effect to the resolution just carried.' Carried on the voices." Telegrams sent 15th June, 1877: " Hon. Minister for Public Works. —Last meeting of Board, special Committee unanimously appointed to negotiate with tho Government by telegraph as to permanently fixing the site for the railway goods shed between Battray Street and Stuart Street; or would consent be given to permanently fix goods sheds as they are at present ? An affirmative answer, it is believed, would enable the Board to come to a final decision on the dock question. Please reply as soon as possible. —John L. Gillies, Secretary." "Hon. G. McLean.—Telegram re railway goods station sent Minister Public Works. Eequested to expedite answer if possible.—John L. Gillies, Secretary." " Hon. Donald Beid.—Telegram re railway goods station sent Minister for Public Works. Eequested to expedite answer if possible. —John L. Gillies, Secretary." Eeply telegram 22nd June, 1877 : "Secretary, Otago Harbour Board.—After giving careful consideration to your letter to me of 30th ultimo, telegram to Minister of Public Works of 15th instant, and perusal of the published reports of the various meetings of the Board, the Government have decided to ask the Board to adhere to the plans as deposited, and which have received the sanction of the Governor. The sheds will not be moved from their present position so long as space will permit the traffic to be worked advantageously, but it is easy to foresee that in time the increase of traffic will necessitate their removal, so that the Government could not comply with the wishes of the Board, and guarantee their remaining in their present position permanently. The Government will not exercise their right of taking any of the reclaimed laud between Battray and Jetty Streets. The Government have delayed their reply in the hope that the Board would come to some decision nearly unanimous but, the opinions of members being nearly equally divided, the Government have no other course left but to adhere to original plans.—Geo. McLean."

No. 29. The Seceetaey, Otago Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Commissioner of Customs. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 30th August, 1877. Boaed have advertised since 28th July to sell leases of reserve between Eattray and Jetty Streets on 7th September; but Eeserves Committee, with whom the arrangements left, feel unwilling to appear to clash with Works Department, and beg for favourable answer to my letter of 17th, so that sale may be held on advertised date. Please reply early by telegraph. The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, Wellington. John L. Gillies.

No. 30. The Engineee-in-Chief to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Ec Land in Bloch 3, Harbour Board Endowment, at the corner of Crawford and Battrey Streets, Dunedin. Public Works Office, Wellington, 4th September, 1878. The following sections, which have beeu laid out by the Otago Harbour Board for the purpose of leasing, and which now form part of the Dunedin Eailway Station, should be, I think, reserved for railway purposes:— One rectangular half of Section 6, being the half fronting on the Eailway Eeserve, and the eastern boundary of which will be parallel to Crawford Street. The whole of Sections 7, 8, 9, 18, and 27. That triangular portion of Section 17 bounded as follows : —Commencing at the corner common to Sections 17, 18, 26, and 27, thence along boundary line between Sections 17 and 18 to the proposed new street, thence along side of new street where it forms north-west boundary of Section 17 for a distance of 37 feet, and thence in a straight line across Section 17 to the commencing point. The right to lay lines of rails across the proposed new street, between Sections 7, 8, and 9, and Sections 17 and 18, also across new street forming north-west boundary of proposed steamers' basin, and along Eattray Street and jetty, to be reserved. I have, &c, John Careuthees, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Engineer-in-Chief.