CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO EXPEDITION TO WEST COAST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 544, 15 September 1863, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO EXPEDITION TO WEST COAST.

Geological Survey, Otago, N.Z. Dunedin, 13th May, 1563. His Honor the Superint?ndent, &c. &c kc

Sir-I have tin irnour to report that lam prepared to start, this afternoon in the schoiw-r Mitilda Hayf-s for the examination of the West Coast of this Province, in the terms of my letter ot theSOtli Mitre'i last. It is possible that I may bo absent for a period of five months, but F. shall lose no opportunity of communicating with your Honor ; and 1 have reason to expec, irom the arrangements made by the Harbour Master with the masters of the inter-Colonial steamers, that I shall be able to do so at frequent intervals.

At the same time, I would beg respectfully to point out to jour Honor that in the event of my nit being beard of for some month*, interested per-ons may endeavour to create uneasiness iv the public mm 1 respecting the welfare of my party with the object of inducing the Government to a further expenditure'on this service, I therefore request that unless positive information from a reli.-.ble source be obtained cf a mishap having occurred to my party, the Government will not tike, any steps with the view of"searching for n\e until the ■ expiration of four months from this date. • ■ ' ".

further, I take the opportunity of recording my thanks -o the Harbor-Ma-ter tor the great care and foresight h<? has exercised in arranging for the safety ot the expedition, aud I start perfectly satisfied that the manner in which he has carried out the wishes ofthe Government on this subject will quite < xonerate liim from any blame in. tbe event df the exoeditiou having a disastrous termination. * ..

I have the honor, kc, kc , (Signed) ' Jajies Hectoh', Provincial Geologist. Provincial Secretary's Office, Dunedin, 18th May, 1863; SlR,—I am dir>cted by lus Honor the Supe-in-tende'nt to acknowledge the receipt, of your letter of this day's dare, -intimating your readiness to proceed upon your expedition to the West Coast this afternoon, an I expressing your thanks to tbe HarborMaster for his care and foresight in arranging for its safety. *

In reply, I am directed to express his Honor's satisfaction at the confidence you displfty with reference to this most important expedition, and further to state how exceedingly gratified his Ho-:or syill be"at hearing that it has arrived at a stressful termination. At tlie sah\e time his Honor would like to receive an assurance u:;d ; r your hand that the vessel in which you are about to start is, in your opinion, suitable and safe for the service for which she is destined. • I have the honor to be, ',' ' kc, kc, kc, '" '■ (Signed)' Alexander Willis, ' „ '■■■-• 'Undersecretary. James Hector. Ksq, M.D., Provincial Geologist. '...'.'"'

" ■'■ Geological Survey, -. '• ', .Otagj, N..Z., .. ' " ». . 4 -.. lV . -•. , .Dunelin, 18th May, 1863. The Acting: Provincial Secretary. Sir,—fu''reply to 'the latter portion of your communication, ot this date, referring to the * Expedition I am about to'undertake to the West Coast of tbe Province, and requesting me to express an assurance thatthe vessel in which I am about to start is, in my opinion, suitable anil'safe for the service for which she is destined. ''•' ": ;r- AP '-■'■ '■■ ---, '> -

I have the honor to state that she is rhe vessel sug- j gfisted by myself, in the requisition contained in my letter of the 20th lwarcli la-t, according to the terms of which this expedition has beeu org-vnhed, and tbat i consider her well adapted in every respect for the proposed service. I have the honor to be, &c, kc, kc, (Signed) James Hector.