H. M. Surveying Vessel Pandora, Manukau, April 21st, 1854. Sis, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of April 20th and its enclosure. In answer to His Excellency's enquiry as to the Pandora proceeding to the Chatham Islands on the special service therein mentioned. I much regret that it is not in my power to render assistance on this occasion, as a positive clause in my instructions relative to the survey forbids me from entering upon such service. I have, &c., See., (Signed) Byron Drttry, Commander. To the Honourable, The Colonial Secretary.

Custom House, Auckland, 19th April, 1851. Sir, — I have the honor to report the arrival of the brig Ino, Aldrich master, from the Port of Waitanga, Chatham Islands, a dependency of this Colony, having a clearance from Sydney bearing date the 14th February last. The following vessels were at the Chatham Islands when the Ino sailed. The Sweedsh brig Experiment, the schooner Cheetah, the brig Christina Reece, the brig Prima Donna, and the schooner James Gibson in which vessel it is reported a German named Byer had arrived with a quantity of muskets and ammunition which had been sold to the Maories. The cargo of the Ino which is considerable, has all been landed there with the exception of seventeen bales of gunny bags, seventeen boxes tea, and sixty boxes of soap consigned to Mr. David Nathan of this place, and the duties on which will amount to nearly five hundred pounds. The ship will of course be detained until the duties are secured or paid. I should have observed that all the trade on the East Coast, say from Hawke' Bay, is supplied from Auckland, and it is a matter of much complaint amongst the merchants and traders of this place that such a depot for smuggling should be allowed to exist, to their great injury and detriment, and to the very serious prejudice of this revenue'it being reported that there is some four thousand pounds worth of customable goods, and several tons of tobacco laying there at the present time ; I beg therefore to recommend for the consideration of His Excellency the Officer administering the Government the propriety of chartering a vessel should a man-of-war not be available to proceed there without delay, for the purpose of levying the duties on such goods, and making arrangements profuturo if found expedient for a Custom's Establishment. I have, &c., &.c., (Signed) William; Young, Collector. The Honourable The Colonial Secretary, &c., &c.

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