I.—9c

Sess. 11.—1891. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE. (REPORT ON THE PETITION OF THE LYTTELTON HARBOUR BOARD, No. 73, 1891, SESS. II.)

Brought up 17th July, 1891, and ordered to be printed.

Petitioners complain that the Eailway Commissioners have taken, by Proclamation under section 10 and subsequent sections of " The Public Works Act, 1882," No. 5 grain-shed, situate at Lyttelton, and the land whereon it stands, and have obtained from the District Land Eegistrar at Christchurch a certificate of title to the said land. Petitioners also claim £3,300 expended by the Board on the Gladstone Sheds, or the restoration of the sheds to the Harbour Board. Petitioners also ask that the consent of the Crown be given to the assignment of the lease of No. 2 or Grain Agency Shed to the said Board, or that a new lease be given to the Board which will enable it when necessary to collect for account of the Eailway Department freight and charges due on goods delivered into the shed. Petitioners pray that the House will be pleased to pass a law to give effect to the prayer of their petition. I have the honour to report,— 1. That, after evidence had been given by representatives of the Harbour Board and Mr. Maxwell, one of the Eailway Commissioners, a conference was agreed upon, at which it was arranged to submit the following recommendations (inter alia) to the Public Accounts Committee as a basis of settlement: — (a.) That it be agreed that No. 5 shed be re-vested in the Harbour Board, with provision for leasing the same to the Eailway Commissioners for ten years, at such rental as may be fixed by the Public Accounts Committee, not to exceed £1,500 a year, as suggested by the representatives of the Harbour Board, nor to be less than £1,000, as recommended by the Eailway Commissioners. The lease to run from, the Ist July, 1889. (6.) That a sum of £3,300 be accepted by the Harbour Board in full satisfaction of all claims on the Gladstone Sheds. (c.) That the lease of No. 2 Grain Agency Shed be transferred to the Harbour Board, with full powers to the Board to fulfil all engagements and enjoy all privileges. 2. That the Public Accounts Committee, under the above order of reference, recommend that the annual rental of No. 5 shed be fixed at £1,250 a year. 3. That the Government be asked to bring in and carry through a Bill to give effect to the above arrangement. Alfeed Saundees, 17th July, 1891. Chairman. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,200 copies), 17s. 6d.

By Authority: Geoeob Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9l. Price, 3d.]