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as a member of the Board, should then send in his resignation, also addressed to the Chairman ; and if it can be done in this way I will be obliged; but if resignations have already been written out and signed it is not of much consequence. James Colvin, Esq., Chairman, Harbour Board, Westport. E. Mitchelson.

The Chairman, Westport Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. (Telegram.) Westport, 13th March, 1888. Members of Board desire to know, previous to resigning, whether the Government have any fault to find with their actions, individually or collectively. Jas. Colvin, Hon. Minister Public Works, Wellington. Chairman, Harbour Board.

The Hon. the Minister for Public Wobks to the Chairman, Westport Harbour Eoard. ' ■ (Telegram.) Wellington, 15th March, 1888. It is no question of finding fault with Board, but Government consider it in the interests of the Trust to take direct responsibility. It will facilitate matters if Board send in their resignations without delay, and advise by telegram of their so doing. G. F. Eichardson, For Minister Public Works. James Colvin, Esq., Chairman, Harbour Board, Westport.

The Hon. the Minister for Public Works to the Chairman, Westport Harbour Board. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th March, 1888. Will you please send definite reply by wire to-day as to whether or not Board will resign ; or, if not possible to reply finally to-day, please say when final reply will be sent. G. F. Eichardson, Chairman, Harbour Board, Westport. For Minister for Public Works.

The Chairman, Westport Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Wobks. (Telegram.) Westport, 20th March, 1888. Reply to your telegram of fifteenth instant has been posted. Jas. Colvin, Hon. the Minister Public Works, Wellington. Chairman, Harbour Board.

The Hon. the Minister for Public Works to the Chairman, Westport Harbour Board. (Telegram.) Wellington, 21st March, 1888. lie your telegram of yesterday. Does the letter you refer to contain the resignations of the members the Harbour Board? Eeply urgent. G. F. Eichardson, The Chairman, Westport Harbour Board, Westport. For Minister for Public Works.

The Chairman, Westport Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. (Telegram.) Westport, 21st March, 1888. No, it does not; but submits statement for Government consideration. You should receive it tomorrow morning. Jas. Colvin, The Hon. the Minister Public Works, Wellington. Chairman, Harbour Board.

The Chaieman, Westport Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Wobks. Sib,— Westport, 20th March, 1888. I have the honour, by direction of this Board, to acknowledge receipt of your telegram dated the 15th instant, and, in reply, to inform you that the Board, having resolved to "give all facilities to the Government in the proposed change of administration of Westport Harbour works, with the sincere hope that the works may be vigorously proceeded with, and the Trust administered in a manner conduciva to the interest of the colony and the development of the coal trade," have concluded that it cannot, without bringing odium upon itself, and doing an act fraught with evil consequences to the Trust, abandon the right to local supervision of the Westport Harbour works which has been conferred by the Legislature, and supported by an endowment, as set forth in " The Westport Harbour Act, 1884." The Board desires respectfully to draw the attention of the Premier to the statement made by him to the House of Eepresentatives at the close of last session, see Hansard, page 1,018, as follows: "We were inclined to introduce a Bill, according to the recommendation of the Committee which sat on the Westport Harbour, to take over that harbour at once, and we should have proposed in the same Bill that the Government should take power to inquire into the working of the Greymouth Harbour with a view, if necessary, of taking that over also ; but, as the honourable gentleman is aware, from the information I have given him, the Government does not think there is time to consider those measures this session, but the Government will make inquiry and take such action as may be necessary. With reference to money for carrying out the work, the Government are of opinion that the work should be pushed on with vigour, for it is a most important work. The Government do not purpose to pass any resolution of the sort mentioned in the Acts, but it is their intention to find the necessary moneys on the security of debentures they hold, pending the decision of Parliament upon the whole question next session ;" and to state that, in their opinion, unless the Government have found something flagrantly wrong in the action of this Board, the Premier's declaration should be adhered to, and the sanction of Parliament should be obtained before any