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6 inches. The Tuki Tuki river bed at the point B is about 26 feet above high water mark at the point C. It is to be observed as a consequence of this that the fall of the Ngaruroro from Pakowai is very gradual and that there is but a slow run in the water to the sea; whereas the Tuki Tuki river runs with great force from B to C, although the distance is shorter than from the point A (Pakowai) to the sea at Awapuni. The Ahuriri Plains, then, may be considered to incline gradually from West to East.

The mouth of the Ngaruroro and Tuki Tuki rivers is for the present at Awapuni, as shown on Chart No. 3, but as it shifts between that place and Waipureku under the influence of heavy floods and high seas, it is difficult to say how long it will remain where it is now. The depth of water in the channel inside the bar is from 1½ to 2 fathoms at high water, on the bar from 7 to 9 feet. It is at best, however, a dangerous passage and requires great caution and skill on the part of masters bringing in small craft.

The depth of water in mid-channel up the Ngaruroro from the Ferry to Pakowai is about 9 feet.

The Tutaekuri river has a depth of about 9 feet from the first bend to Hallett’s bend, where it shoals from 7 to 4 feet under the Meanee Bridge. The fall from "Hallett’s Bend" to the junction with the Lake is 2 feet 39-100, and the fall from Meanee Bridge to the sea will be in an Easterly line about 1 70-100.

The "Waiohinganga" or Petane river does not seem to have much influence on the lake; its greatest depth at high water between its confluence with that piece of water and "Villers’" is about 8 feet, beyond which point it is not much affected by the tide. In floods this river runs out to sea at Petane and the channel running into the Ahuriri Lake is then only practicable for boats when the fresh is at its highest; but at any time that channel carries off but a portion of the waters of this river, as a great quantity of water must necessarily filter through the loose shingle beach, which bars out the sea on the subsidence of the floods.

Fourthly, Hawke’s Bay, between Kidnappers and Waikari.

Offers no particular feature, as likely to affect the improvements of Port Napier, worthy of note. The soundings taken by me are materially the same as those taken by Capt. Drury 10 years ago, and I am not able to discover any new rocks or shoals or other remarkable alterations as having taken place since that time, nor do the frequent shocks of earthquake which have occurred within that period seem to have effected the slightest change in the bottom of the bay.

I trust I have succeeded in conveying to the Harbour Commission a clear idea of the present state of our harbour, and that the charts will prove entirely to your satisfaction. I have spared neither time, trouble nor expense in this matter, so as to secure as accurate results as possible; nor have I neglected to obtain all available information upon the subject. Mr. Murray has kindly furnished me with every assistance, both statistical and material, which I have required from him, and I am indebted to him for much valuable information and some practical hints.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your very obedt. humble Servant,

O. L. W. BOUSFIELD,
Surveyor.

H. S. Tiffen, Esq.,
Chairman Harbour Commission,
Napier.

Printed under the authority of the Government of the Province of Hawke’s Bay, by JAMES WOOD,
Printer for the time being to such Government.