not competent to arrive at a correct or proper conclusion in matters connected with the improvements of Auckland Harbour. In the present instance the Committee are of opinion that the course proposed by his Honor would be inexpedient for them to adopt, inasmuch as they believe that for carrying out such works as the present circumstances of the Port require, a sufficiency of engineering skill is already available in this district.

The Committee would further request his Honor to reconsider his decision, to advance no further portion of the funds voted to the Harbour Committee by the Provincial Council in Session 4, and to reflect whether, by thus suddenly putting a stop to the Harbour Works now under course of construction, and so greatly required, and which, in the opinion of the Harbour Engineer, are calculated, when further advanced, to render the Harbour Commissioners a self-supporting body,—whether, by persisting in such a course, his Honor would not be liable to inflict serious injury on the commerce and shipping of the Province, by preventing the progress of works urgently required, and which it is so generally desired should be executed with the least possible delay.

And that the Chairman, in reply to his Honor’s letter, be instructed to transmit a copy of the foregoing resolution.

And also, that the Engineer be instructed to place all plans of projected Harbour improvements at the disposal of his Honor the Superintendent for his information.

Superintendent’s Office,
Auckland, December 31, 1855.

Sir,—

I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 21st instant, enclosing Resolution No. 1, of the Harbour Committee, which forms an answer to my communication of the 4th instant, and by which Resolution I arrive at the conclusion that the Committee do not consider it would be of “advantage to the interests of the trade and shipping of Auckland, to seek the advice of strangers ignorant of the topographical and local features of the Port, and therefore from the want of the necessary local knowledge, not competent to arrive at a correct or proper conclusion in matters connected with the improvements of Auckland Harbour.”

By reference to my communication proposing to obtain the opinion of scientific men not resident in Auckland, on the proposed Harbour Works, you will perceive that the information which I intended forwarding embraced a report “on the topographical and local features of the Port,” as well as every other description of information at all bearing on the subject, and with such information, emanating from the valued professional source which the Committee consider sufficient for their wants, I cannot believe that any Engineer of eminence, however distant from Auckland, would not be “competent to arrive at a correct or proper conclusion in matters connected with the improvement of Auckland Harbour,” on the contrary I remain convinced that the Harbour Committee would have received the most valuable suggestions by the course I asked them to adopt, and which they have thought proper to reject,

I have, &c.,
J. LOGAN CAMPBELL,
Superintendent.

The Chairman,
Harbour Committee.

Harbour Committee Office,
December 22nd, 1855.

Sir,—I am directed by the Committee to forward to your Honor the enclosed resolution, which, as it contains the reasons and purposes for which the request is made, requires no further intimation from me.

I have, &c.,
WILLIAM POWDITCH,
Chairman.

His Honor,
The Superintendent.

RESOLUTION,

That, with a view to enable the Committee to afford increased facilities for discharging and shipping goods and produce, the Chairman be instructed to apply to His Honor the Superintendent for a further grant of £700 (seven hundred pounds) out of the £5000 granted by the Provincial Council Sess. 4, for Harbour improvements, to be expended on the erection of a store on the platform, partially constructed for the reception of the same, and in the event of His Honor complying with the request of the Committee—that Mr. Simpson’s tender to erect a store on the terms proposed by him viz., £475 be accepted.

Superintendent’s Office, Auckland,
31st December, 1855.

Sir,—In reply to your letter of the 22nd instant, covering a resolution of the Harbour Committee, asking in addition to the £3000 already paid the Commissioners, a further sum of £700, to enable the Committee to erect a store to afford increased facilities for discharging shipping goods and produce, I beg to state that in event of the probable balance arising from the £3000 already paid the Commissioners, not being sufficient, after discharging the liabilities, and securing the works as in terms of my letter of the 4th instant to pay for the store tendered to be erected by Mr. Simpson for £475, I shall be prepared to advance the sum which may be deficient so long as the amount does not exceed £475.

Observing in the published proceedings of the Commissioners, a resolution to the effect, “that the Harbour works be resumed on the Main Wharf, and carried on so far as to accommodate the William Denny,” I beg to repeat what I stated in my letter of the 4th instant, that until the affairs of the Commissioners shall have been placed before the Provincial Council, if the Harbour Commissioners incur any new liabilities, they will do so at their own personal risk.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
J. LOGAN CAMPBELL,
Superintendent.

The Chairman,
Harbour Committee.