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Honor’s attention commences at Mangatoloi, whole work. Only one objection to the line on the Manukau, about 100 chains north of Waikau, and traversing 120 chains of tolerably flat fern land, proceeds in the direction of S. ½° E. through a belt of bush one mile and a half wide, crossing two gullies which might be easily headed by a slight digression from the last bearing. Emerging from the bush, it descends a fern spur, with an easy slope to an arm of the Awaroa swamp, two miles wide, crossing which it mounts another fern spur on the opposite bank, and winds thence along a wooded range to Owanga, where it terminates on a low bluff overhanging the Waikato. The level of this line throughout is very favourable to the formation of a tramroad, the chief impediment being the swamp, which is from twelve to twenty feet deep, but as the bottom consists of a substance sufficiently hard to sustain piles, which the woods on each side contain in abundance, we do not apprehend the surmounting this difficulty would materially enhance the cost of the

Comparative Statement of three lines of Communication between the Manukau Harbour and the Waikato River.

No. 1.
Proposed line from Tehiki to Te Proposed line from Mangatoloi to Awarua.
Whaka.

Commences on a bold level bank on the Tehiki, well adapted for a village site.

We sounded the channel from the mouth to this part of the creek, and are satisfied that a steamer, drawing seven feet could sail with the same ease as the existing wharf on the top of the bank at low water, but could not lie near the from this place, so that a vessel could only reach or leave the port at any time Wharf.

The opposite extremity meets the Waikato between the two eminences of which Tekiki is town, with 12 feet water in side most northerly.

There is ample space for a village here, with sufficient water to accommodate at all times any steamer capable of plying on the river.

The greater portion of this road passes through forest land, well supplied with timber of a good quality.

It could scarcely be better located in this respect.

No. 2.
Commences at Mangatoloi.

Would commence at the Nukumaru very suitable for a village site.

So that a vessel, steamer could only reach the ordinary flood tides, and would either be compelled to return instantly, or await the next flood:

Such a vessel would require to be loaded by lighters, and to lie near the spot which we propose for a terminus on line No. 2, whence she could sail or anchor two hours before a canoe could be floated at Waikau.

The Waikato end of this line has an excellent site for a highway of any kind on this eminence.

The most northerly.

There is, however, reserved by site, but it is six miles distant from the Waikato, and steamers could only reach it through a canal.

This line passes through two belts of valuable timber.

By commencing the work in these portions, materials for as it could only be transported at a considerable cost.

No. 3.
The line via Awaroa.

Would commence at the village site of Waikau, situate on the extremity of a long shallow gulph, having 7 feet at high-water spring tide. A steamer could lie only at the ordinary flood tides.

It continues another mile through open country, and again enters forest land, through which it winds in the above general direction to the Waikato.

Having described the localities through which permanent communication may be established, we now beg to submit a comparative statement of the advantages peculiar to each, in order that your Honor may have an opportunity of examining the reasons which influence our selection.

There is no timber adapted for building purposes within two miles of this line, and what exists is of inferior quality.

With reference to a canal, the Awaroa valley is utterly destitute of the materials necessary.