No. 5.
The Superintendent, Canterbury, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

Sir,—

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th ultimo, enclosing translation of a letter from a Native chief, on behalf of the Runanga of Kaiapoi, complaining of the drainage by the Provincial Government of Lake Ellesmere, as injurious to their private property.

In reply, I have the honor to inform you that the Provincial Government of Canterbury have not in any way interfered with the drainage of Lake Ellesmere. Levels have been taken at the instance of the Provincial Government, with a view of so far draining the lake that it shall not back up the river running into it, or overflow the land adjacent; but no drainage work affecting the level of water in the lake has been undertaken by the Provincial Government.