PAPERS RELATING TO THE

D.—No. Gb

26

Sub-enclosure to Enclosure 5 in No. 17. Statistics op Population, &c. of Geetmotjth. 1. Population of the town of Greymouth ... ... ... 2,181 2. Eental value of house property ... ... ... ... £27,643 3. Length of wharf, in good condition, and having 19 feet of water at G feet from face at low water ... ... ... 14 chains. 4. Length of wharf, in indifferent condition, and having alx eet of water 6 feet from face at low water ... ... ... 7 „ 5. Length of face protection, having 19 feet of water, at 6 feet from face at low water ... ... .. ... ... 19 „ 6. Length of face protection, Having 6 feet of water at G feet from face at low water ... ... ... ... ... 4 „ Total ... ... ... 44 chains. 7. Cost of construction of wharf and protective works... ... £12,580 8. Cost of construction of streets ... ... ... ... 1,346 9. Goods traffic between Greymouth, and the Grey and Arnold valleys, per week ... ... ... ... ... CO to 70 tons 10. "Width of Grey Eiver at punt rope ... ... ... 800 feet. C. T. O'Connes, Greymouth, 1st June, 1871. - County Engineer,

Enclosure No. 6 in No. 17. Extract from Eeport of Marine Surveyor. I also forward herewith a small sketch of " Port Curtis," being the bay formed by Point Elizabeth' a few miles to the north of Greymouth. Mr. Woods was instructed to procure a few soundings in the bay, on the first available opportunity, and this sketch is the result. The soundings shew that there is an area of probably not less than a quarter of a square mile already partially sheltered, aud with a depth at low water of two fathoms and upwards. Seeing that there is an ample supply of hard limestone 011 the spot, very fairly adapted for the construction, of a breakwater, and that this bay is of perfectly easy access from the Grey coal fields, its future importance as a harbour will be sufficiently obvious ; indeed it is the only place on the West Coast which I am acquainted with where there are both natural facilities and abundant material for constructing a barless commercial harbour of very considerable dimensions, in direct and easy communication with very valuable coal fields. I hope during the present year to procure a careful survey of Port Curtis on a large scale. J. M. Balfour.

Enclosure 7 in No. 17. G. A. "Woods to James M. Balfoue, C.E. Surveying Steam Sloop " St. Kilda," Sib,— 27th June, IS6S. I have the honor to forward the following Eeport on the bay formed by Point Elizabeth. The indentations of the coast line between Point Elizabeth and the Cliffs, to the Northward, form a small bay, which is partially protected by an island lying immediately off the point, and one or two islets and rocks that stretch across nearly to the main land on the North side. The passage between the first-named island (a) and the islet (£) is clear of rocks and shoals, with a depth of from four to six fathoms, but immediately after passing this line the water shoals rapidly, and in the centre of the bight breaks with considerable violence ; half way across, between this break and the point, and under lee of the island, a depth of from three to four fathoms was found, but the bottom is uneven, requiring a careful survey and opportunities for observing the effect of JNortherly and North-west winds upon the space of water lying between the point and the mid-bay shoal before any definite report can bo made as to its capabilities for shipping. If a rabble breakwater could be constructed from the inner side of the mid-bay reef towards island («), and the passage closed between the Point and (a), then a small harbour would be formed, capable of holding three or four vessels. Presuming, however, that this expenditure would bo undertaken, mainly with the view of making it a small harbour of refuge, it is necessary to make sure that the sea does not break across the entrance from (a) to (b) in seaward gales, as that would be fatal to any vessel attempting to enter between (a) and the end of the breakwater. I have, &c, G. A. "Woods, James M. Balfour, Esq., C.E., Chief Marine Surveyor. Colonial Marine Engineer, "Wellington.

No. 18. Hon. AY. Gisborne to the Chairman of the County Council, Hokitika. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sib,— Wellington, 11th August, 1871. Adverting to my letter, No. 226, of the Ist May last, I have the honor to enclose a copy of the report of Dr. Hector and Mr. Blackett, ou the best course for a railway to connect the coal mines on the Grey river with a shipping port.