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No. 56. The Mayor, Borough of South Dunedin, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sir, — South Dunedin Council Chambers, 23rd July, 1878. I have the honor to forward to you a copy of resolution passed at a meeting of the Council of the Borough of South Dunedin, held on 22nd July instant: — " That, in the opinion of this Council, no site for a railway goods station will meet the requirements of the people of this municipality that does not reach south from Battray or Jetty Street." I have, &c., Andrew Eankin, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Borough Clerk.

No. 57. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works to the Chairman and Members, Otago Harbour Board. Gentlemen, — Public Works Office, Wellington, 25th July, 1878. Referring to your interview with me last week at Dunedin relative to the erection at the cost of the Government of rock-walling in front of certain positions of the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Eailway, and to Mr. Gillies' letter of date Kith July, with accompanying tracing, I have to say that on the first blush of the matter the proposal seemed to be highly advantageous, as enabling several curves in the railway lino to be straightened, and a double line of rails laid down when such may be deemed necessary, at a considerable saving to the Government. Upon further and more mature consideration, however, it would appear that it would be unwise for the Government to agree to the proposals without hesitation. I may say that the matter has been referred to the Colonial Marine Engineer, who reports that, as shown on tracing, the proposal involves displacement of the tidal water over close upon fifty acres, an area very much larger than presented itself to my mind at the interview in question. Looking at the extent of the proposed reclamation at the head of the bay, and in the face of the very decidedly expressed opinion of Sir John Coode as to the great risk of damage to the entrance of the harbour which is calculated to result from such operations unless kept within due limits, the Government feels that it would not be justified in being a party to such a large additional reclamation as is now proposed without the very best advice that is obtainable. lam aware that some of the members of your Board lay but small stress upon the opinion of Sir John Coode. The Government, however, cannot shut its eyes to the fact that he is universally recognized as one of the very highest authorities upon such questions as that now under consideration, and they cannot presume to ignore his opinion simply because it may be at variance with their own preconceived notions or foregone conclusions. Whether his opinion may be right or wrong, Sir John Coode can have no possible object in sacrificing his world-wide professional reputation by giving advice other than that which long experience enables him to do on a subject which has been the speciality of a lifetime. Under all the circumstances of the case I would venture to hope that your Board may see that the Government is bound to exercise every possible precaution in dealing with this question, a false step in regard to which may prove most disastrous to the Port of Otago. I have, &c, The Chairman and Members of the Otago Harbour Board, J. Macandrew. Dunedin.

No. 58. His Worship the Mayor, Dunedin, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 26th July, 1878. At a meeting of the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, Harbour Board, and City Corporation, the following resolutions w rere carried unanimously: " Besolved, That this meeting approves of the Harbour Board plan of the goods station being placed on the site marked therein ' Proposed goods station south,' including the area marked ' Additional area of goods station,' if in one; and they further approve of the position of the proposed passenger station." " That his Worship the Mayor be requested to communicate by wire with the Government, with a view to obtaining an immediate sanction thereto, the plans having gone up to Wellington by J. C. Brown, Esq., M.H.E." Mr. Brown has been telegraphed to to hand you copies of the lithographed plan referred to. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. E. H. Leahy.

No. 59. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works to His Worship the Mayor, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 27th July, 1878. Harbour Board and Chamber of Commerce have already been informed that Government can take no action which involves reclamation beyond the limits recommended by Sir John Coode. The plans you refer to have not yet reached me. Government now waits for report of Conyers and Blair before finally dealing with the question. His Worship the Mayor of Dunedin. J. Macandrew,