D.—No. 8.

Zealand Gazette, 31st October last, from the Marine Department, Wellington, dated 24th October, 1868, respecting alteration of channel, Manukau Bar, is in a measure incorrect as regards the name of the shoal and otherwise as being unsafe to enter on the line of the leading beacon on the South Head; and as the notice has a tendency to confuse mariners when approaching the harbour, I have written to the Colonial Marine Engineer at Wellington to draw his attention to the subject. I have, &c, Thomas Wing, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Harbourmaster.

No. 7. The Hon. E. W. Stafford to His Honor J. Williamson. (No. 312.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Siß,— Wellington, 12th December, 1868. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter No. 145, of the 2nd instant, transmitting a copy of a letter from the Harbourmaster at Manukau, stating that an inaccuracy had occurred in the notice from the Marine Department, in the New Zealand Gazette of the 31st of October last. The Colonial Marine Engineer, to whom I referred your Honor's letter, states that the notice in question was almost a verbatim copy of your letter No. 2713, of the 21st of October, which called the attention of the Government to the incorrectness of the sailing directions for the Manukau. It is not suggested that-the notice should be recalled and amended, and there appears no necessity for that being done, as the notice is only intended as a caution, and the Marine Engineer is about to visit the Manukau for the purpose of examiuing the approaches to the harbour. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. E. w. Stafford.

No. 8. The Hon. E. W. Stafford to His Honor J. Williamson. Colonial Secretary's Office, Siß,— Wellington, 20th January, 1869. Adverting to my letter No. 268, of the 23rd of October last, on the subject of a resurvey of the Manukau Bar, I have the honor, at the request of the Postmaster-General, to enclose copies of a letter, dated the 12th ultimo, and of its enclosure, from the Colonial Marino Engineer, on the subject of the estimated expense of that resurvey. As the expenditure on the proposed work would be by law a charge on the Province of Auckland, the Government will be glad to consider any remarks or suggestions relative thereto, which your Honor may wish to offer. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. E. W. Stafford.

Enclosure in No. 8. Survey at Manukau. Siß,— Marine Department, Wellington, 12th December, 1868. I have the honor to forward herewith a tender recently received from Captain Wing, for chartering the "Halcyon" for survey purposes at Manukau, which, I regret to report, is much less favourable than I had anticipated. Captain Wing proposes that she should be engaged for one month certain; but of this eight days must be deducted for passage to and from Manukau, leaving say twenty-two days (including Sundays) for actual service. Por this he proposes to charge expenses, £10 per day (for the thirty days) hire, and coals, so that the expense will be somewhat as under: — £ s. d. One month's expenses as per his statement ... ... ... 230 0 0 Hire, thirty days at £10 ... ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 Coals, say 2$ tons per day overhead, at 50s. == 30 x 25 x£2 10s. ... 187 10 0 £717 10 0 And £717 10s.) \ = £32 12s. fully per day. 22 ) The "Ladybird" has been offered for £25 per day when steam is not got up, and £30 when steam is got up; the hire to date from the arrival at Manukau, and to cease when the work is done. These terms are certainly much more favourable to the Government, especially when it is considered that the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company only stipulate for ten days' certain employment. On the other hand, the " Halcyon" would, I'believe, be fully the most suitable boat of the two for the work, as she is staunch, of light draught, and worked by a twin-screw, making her especially handy. Ido not say Mr. Wing's offer is too high, though more than I anticipated; but the whole estimate

6

PAPERS RELATIVE TO RESURVEY