No. 83.
His Honor the Superintendent, Otago, to the Hon. J. C. Richmond.

Sir,—

With reference to the subject of the interview which Mr. Harris and myself had with you this morning, I now beg to state, on behalf of the Provincial Government of Otago, that it is prepared to engage to set aside for Native purpose a piece of land situated at Pelichet Bay, in the City of Dunedin, of equal area to the Princes Street Reserve; and further, that the Provincial Government will expend not less than one thousand pounds (£1,000) upon the enclosing of said land and the erection thereon of a suitable lodging-house or Native hostelry, to be constructed of brick.

In making this proposal, I desire it to be distinctly understood that I do so without prejudice in respect of the action now pending in the Supreme Court in re Princes Street Reserve. The proposal is made solely with a desire to benefit the Natives, and to prevent much useless and expensive litigation.