B.—-No. 4;

the Scotch Church. A!- much better site for the purpose would, however, be that portion of the reserve round Albert Barracks, opposite to the new Commissariat building, west of the road from Princes Street to the Barrack gate, If this site be given, a building might be erected so as to fall in with the proposed plan for laying out the whole of the ground whereon the Supreme Court is to bo built and greatly contribute to the general effect of the other public buildings in contemplation. To secure this object, which would require that the Society's building should be of a certain height, I would recommend that- the Society be allowed to erect their Hall over a ground story of offices, the latter to bo surrounded by. a portico or colonnade, so as not to injure the general effect. A second lower story of offices might be made to project on the sloping part of the site to the west, and have a fine appearance on that side. The rent of the offices (not on any account to be let as shops), would greatly assist in making the speculation a successful one, and in supporting the Society. The prospect of these returns would of course render possible the raising of a much larger sum of money, and secure buildings worthy of the site and creditable to the Auckland public. I would advise that the matter be referred to the Commissioners appointed for the erection of Public Buildings, to report whether the appropriation of the site and the erection of the building above proposed would be consistent with or in furtherance of their views of the best mode of laying out the open ground in that neighbourhood, and their intentions with respect to the erection of a Supreme Court or other public edifices." A. Domett, April 13th, 1564. . Secretary for Crown Lands. Eesolution of the Commissioners on the above Minute, same date :— " That it would be entirely in accordance with the views of the Commissioners, that a handsome building should be erected on the proposed site, in accordance with the terms in Mr. Domett's minute, and they have no objections to offer to the erection of a Music Hall thereon, provided the building be such, both in magnitude and style of character, as will harmonise with that of the new Supreme Gourt House, and other public buildings to be erected in the neighbourhood." S. Kempthorne, 30th March, 1864. Secretary Public Buildings Commission. No. 3. The Hon. the CotoxiAr, Secretary to the Public Buildings Commissioners. Sie,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 19th July, 1864. I have-the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of date 9th July, 1864, enclosing a Report of the proceedings of the Public Buildings Commission, and in reply, am directed by Mr. Eox to convey to you the approval and confirmation of His Excellency the Governor of that Report. I have, &c, S. Kcmpthorne, Esq., \V. Gisborne, Secretary to Public Buildings Commission, Auckland. Under Secretary. CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO PURCHASE OF SUPREME COURT SITE IN AUCKLAND, ETC. No. 1. The Superintendent, Auckland to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 2Sth January, 1864. I have the honor to forward herewith copy of Address No. 60, presented to me by the Provincial Council, under date 27th instant, and to request that you will have the goodness to inform me upon what terms the wishes of the Council as expressed therein will be complied with. * I have, &c., The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Robert Graham, Auckland. Superintendent. Enclosure 1 to No. 1. EXTRACT from the Journals of the Auckland Provincial Council Session XVI., 1863-4. Wednesday, 27th January, 1864. Resolved, —That an Address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to communicate with the General Government relative to the purchase of the site of the j>rescnt Supreme Court House by the Provincial Government, this Council being of opinion that such property should not be alienated from the Province, and recommends that provision should be made in an empowering Bill for the cost of such site. (True extract.) Wm. Powditch, His Honor the Sirperinteu "e it. Speaker. No. 2. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Superintendent, Auckland. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, Bth February, 1684. I have to ackiowlelgc the receipt of your Honor's letter No. 102, of the 28th ultimo transmitting copy of an Add ess No. 60, presented to your Honor by the Provincial Council, in, which they recommend the pin chase by Ihe Provincial Government of the site of the present

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CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO