E.—4,

4

re " dock site," and to request you to signify your approval of the terms thereof, and your willingness to execute, when asked to do so, any deed that may be deemed necessary by the Board's solicitor, clearly setting forth that no further sum than £1,000 will be claimed by you for the alteration proposed in your present contracts, or for the extra work or delay involving therein :— Resolution, " That, having heard Mr. Simpson's report upon the question submitted to him re ' dock site,' this Board decide to adopt the plan submitted by Mr. Walter at a meeting held on the 13th June, providing the cost, including removal of the rook walling, does not exceed £1,000." Tou will understand that the proposed alteration is subject to the approval of the Government. I enclose sketch-plan of the proposed site for a dock, and by the Chairman's request solicit an answer this afternoon. I have, &c, John L. Gillies, David Proudfoot, Esq. Secretary.

Enclosure 2 in No. 7. Mr. D. Peoudfoot to Mr. J. L. Gillies. g IE _ Dunedin, 26th June, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your- letter of to-day's date enclosing sketch of dock proposed by Mr. Walter, and in reply have to intimate to you that I agree to the proposal and resolution contained in the same, and that I will sign a bond when called upon containing the conditions stipulated in your letter. Allow me to hope that as little delay as possible will occur. I have, &c, J. L. Gillies, Esq., Secretary, Otago Harbour Board. D. Peoudeoot.

No. 8. The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs to the Chairman of Woeks Committee, Otago Harbour Board. (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th June, 1877. The Government have no objection to offer to your proposal. Shall I write Moriarty you will not require him ? Henry Tewsley, Esq., Chairman Works Committee, G. McLean. Otago Harbour Board, Dunedin.

No. 9. The Chairman of Works Committee, Otago Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Commissioner of Customs. (Telegram.) _ Dunedin, 29th June, 1877. Board has discussed a possible departure from their original plans in respect to half-tide walls, and would be obliged by the Government consenting that the Board Engineer shall meet in Wellington with the Government Marine Engineer to explain, with a view to having sanction or otherwise of Governor in Council. If this agreed to, no need for Moriarty. H. Tewsley, Hon. G. McLean, Wellington. Chairman, Works Committee.

No. 10. The Chairman, Otago Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Commissioner of Customs. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 4th July, 1877. Please wire reply by to-morrow morning to Gillies' letter of 26th. Board meets to-morrow. Hon. G. McLean, Wellington. W. H. Reynolds.

No. 11. The Hon. the Commissionee of Customs to the Chairman, Otago Harbour Board. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth July, 1877. I cannot reply as you request before meeting. The Engineer's inability to attend office through sickness has prevented my consulting him how the last scheme carried would affect the station. The Government is quite as anxious as any one can be to concur in any proposition that would prevent their having to remove goods station from its present position. The Board cannot well complain if, under the circumstances, the Government is careful about giving their assent to an alteration which at to-day's meeting may be upset, or, at all events, may necessitate the Chairman using both his deliberative and casting vote to prevent it. The Board must not overlook the fact that since coming into office they were asked whether they agreed with the plan as sanctioned, and their reply to the Government a unanimous answer in the affirmative. When I can get the Engineer, who is expected to-day, and see the results of to-day's meeting, I will lose no time in bringing it before Cabinet. Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Chairman, Otago Harbour Board. Geo. McLean,