Tauranga 23rd June 1866 My dear Sir My having been on the move ever since my departure from Napier must be my excuse for not writing you ere now. When at the Wairoa in compliance with my promise I made such a cursory examination of that River, and its Estuary, as my brief stay admitted of. I quite coincide with the Provincial Engineers opinion as to the point where the Embochure of the River ought to, and would be, were if not operated on by the disturbing influence of the S.E. Gales on the easily moved shingle or gravel, of which the beach is composed. To give the River the required direction (i.e.) parallel with the land, could I think be accomplished without very great expense, by slightly "staked fasunes" extending across the present channel of the River, about 11/2 mile from its mouth. But to fix and secure permanently, its entrance to its natural site (i.e.) under the Cliffs, would involve works of some magnitude, the cost, arrangement, and plans of which would require very grave consideration. As a preliminary, towards that course, should it ultimately be decided on, I propose on reaching Australia, to lay the plan you furnished me with, before some of the Engineers, such as Mr. Moriarty the Engineer in Chief of N. S. W., or other Members of that Profession whose attention has been directed to the improvement of Rivers and Harbours. In the mean time I would suggest the desirability of ascertaining experimentally, the formation on which the shingle rests, so that the facility, or difficulty of piling and the probable tenacity of such piling when executed may be clearly calculated on. Should it-be found as the conjecture might be hazarded, that the same stiff clay forming the South Head, is to be met with, the facility of the operation would be greatly increased, and as the "incline" of the Beach is so very steep the length of the piling In fact a Plan showing this Incline, the formations, Soundings etc. etc. etc. together with the computed Summer and Winter "Discharges" of the River would be required as necessary data on which an Engineer would base his calculations. It is certainly a great pity that a River flowing through such a valuable District, should not possess a more navigable entrance. Summer of course, suggests itself as the best Season to carry on any operations, that might be determined on. Though irrevalent to your request still revalent to the interests of your Province, I cannot helpinforming you that I visited the "Huntress" and found her machinery in anything but a creditable state. I knew that Vessel from her berth, and from her "craddle to the grave" she will be a heartbreak, if I might be permitted to suggest and as you have a good deal of Dredging Gear about you. Dredging not running is her undoubted mission. (The above matter about the Huntress for your private ear and guidance). On looking over my papers I am sorry to find that I have left the Map of the Wairoa on board of the "Sturt" if therefore my suggestions meet your approval, will you kindly forward another Map to Auckland if it can reach by the 30th Instant, or to Sydney to the care of Peel Raymond should it be unable to reach me before the Date specified. You will please to state if I am to incur a fair amount of expense in procuring the best Professional advice. I returned two days since from Rotorua. Keropa is said to be on the Hau Hau side of that Lake with Patara and about a band of 40 Natives with whom he passed though Taupe on the 10th Instant. This matter was reported to Mair who accompanied us. I am terribly annoyed at having missed the Steamer that left this on the 20th. I remain, Very truly yours, F. W. Cadell