D,— No. 8,

OF THE MANUKAU BAR. of the cost of survey must be revised, especially as I have little doubt that Captain Wing's estimate of the time required may be correct. The estimate must, therefore, stand somewhat as under: — £ s. d. Hire of steamer ... ... ... ... ... ... 720 0 0 Extra hands (at least) ... ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 Overhaul and repair of twenty-two buoys in harbour, at, say, £4 ... 88 0 0 Overhaul of two outer-buoys, say ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 Survey materials, &c, say ... ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 £1,058 0 0 But there are so many contingencies which I cannot foresee (having never been at Manukau), that it would be only proper to put down the cost of the work at about £1,200. I am unable to advise as to the necessity or propriety of expending so large a sum upon this work, but my own feeling is against doing so. Seeing that the bar does shift, and is known to do so, and that the Harbourmaster is apparently always aware of its condition, and able to guide vessels in or out safely, the need for a resurvey is very problematical. I should, on the whole, recommend that tenders be taken for shifting, repairing, painting, and replacing the buoys ; for putting the beacons and signalling gear in good order, and for doing everything necessary to the safe navigation of the harbour, with the exception of resurveying the bar. Should you consider that, on this occasion at least, a survev should be made, I beg to recommend that I be permitted to take Mr. Woods with me (I expect him from the West Coast immediately), as, were he there, I should be able to attend to other work which equally requires looking after, as well as to go with him sufficiently often to see that he does the work well and thoroughly. By this arrangement, also, I should learn to form an opinion as to the reliability of his surveys elsewhere. Mr. Woods' salary would be quite saved by the greater expedition with which two persons could do the work. Two days saved would nearly cover his pay. I have, &c, James M. Baifotie, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Colonial Marine Engineer.

Sub-Enclosure in No. 8. Captain Wing to Mr. J. M. Balfour. Dear Sir, — Onehunga, 26th November, 1868. Your letter of the 21st instant, referring to the hire of the steamer " Halcyon" for surveying and buoying purposes at the Manukau, came to hand by Captain Kennedy of the s.s. "Airedale," and in reply I have to offer the service of the " Halcyon" and crew, for the purpose above mentioned, on the following terms: —The twin-screw steamer " Halcyon" to be taken for one month certain at the rate hereafter shown. The time specified in your letter is too short, as I feel the work cannot be done under the ordinary run of weather about the Manukau. I may here mention that during rough weather outside the harbour, the " Halcyon" can be employed attending to the removal of buoys for repairs inside the harbour, twenty-two in number. The hire of the " Halcyon" to commence from the day of leaving Auckland, or otherwise allow four days for making the passage to the Manukau, and an equal time also to be allow r ed for the return to Auckland, as there is no employment for her at the Manukau. As regards a separate price per day while under steam (mentioned in your letter), I would prefer that you would provide the coals, or in any way you may suggest, at the rate consumed. The victualling of officers would be 3s. 6d. per diem, and the men 2s. 6d. each. The attached memorandum will show the expenses of the " Halcyon" per month, and the sum required for the hire of the vessel. The work she will have to perform is attended with considerable risk and much rough usage. James M. Balfour, Esq., I have, &c., Colonial Marine Engineer, Wellington. Thomas Wing.

Memorandum of Expenses, steamer " Halcyon." £ s. d. Master, per month ... ... ... ... ... ... 2500 Mate ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 13 0 0 Engineer ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 0 Chief stoker and assistant engineer ... ... ... ... 1200 Stoker ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 0 Boy, coal trimmer ... ... ... ... ... ... 400 Two seamen, each £6 ... ... ... ... ... 12 0 0 Cook ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 0 0 Steward ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 0 0 £112 0 0 Provisions, per month ... ... ... ... ... 37 10 0 Insurance on West Coast, 4 per cent. £1,500 (half value) ... ... 60 0 0 Oil, tallow, waste, and sundries ... ... ... ... 15 0 0 Wear and tear, sails and rigging ... ... ... ... 5 10 0 £230 0 0 Average consumption of coal in twenty-four hours' steaming, about five tons.