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shallow sinking would be required to win a large
extent of coal.
If this coal is worked a tramway would be required
to the shipping place.
As the Mokihinui seems to be considered a separate
Coal-field, I may as well state at once that it is only
a part of the same field as the Buller, and probably an
uninterrupted continuation from Mount Rochfort,
though it will most likely require years of actual
working to arrange and classify the various seams.
With regard to the harbor, I can only state that the
channel, though narrow, is straight, and the bar ap-
pears remarkably smooth, though there is a con-
siderable break on each side of the channel, and there
is deep water much nearer the shore than at the Bul-
ler. As to the depth of water I cannot say, but I
have been informed by a person on board the City of
Nelson that that vessel entered the river at low
water.
For a mile and a-half up the river there is water
enough for any coasting craft, and that at distance
there is a very great rise of tide, upwards of ten feet
at full and change. It has always been a matter of
regret to me that there was not time for the Mary
to go into Mokihinui and survey the harbor, as, if
large vessels could enter, it might be the most im-
portant place on the West Coast.
I have, &c.,
(signed) JAMES BURNETT.
Buller River, May 12, 1862.

MARINE SURVEY OF RIVERS
ON THE WEST COAST.

To his Honor the SUPERINTENDENT, Nelson.

SIR,—Having accompanied you to the West Coast,
and visited the Rivers Buller and Grey, I now, in
accordance with your request, give you my report
thereon.
There can be little doubt of the superiority of the
Buller over the Grey, which arises not so much from
a greater depth of water on the bar, as from its width
and steadiness. The prevailing wind on the coast
being from the south-west, vessels can easily enter
and leave the Buller in ordinary weather; and in the
event of calms there is no danger in vessels being
towed either in or out. This could not be accom-
plished at the Grey River without running some con-
siderable risk. The depth of water on the bar at the
Buller, at low water, spring tides, is six feet six
inches; neap tides, seven feet six inches. The ordi-
nary rise of spring tides is from eleven to thirteen feet
and of neaps from eight to ten feet, with a depth of
nineteen feet six inches of water on the bar at high
water.
The harbor is altogether well calculated for vessels
whose draught of water does not exceed twelve or
thirteen feet; but it would be necessary before vessels
of such tonnage visit the harbor, to have two large
buoys, with suitable chains, laid down, one placed
abreast of the present landing place, and the other a
considerable way down the river towards the opposite
shore, as the river rises so rapidly and comes down
with such force as to render it unsafe for vessels to lie
in the stream, and in such case no dependance can be
placed on their anchors. The buoys would therefore
enable them to shear over to the opposite side, by
warps, where the current is comparatively slow, and

where they could lie at the mouth of the lagoon in
perfect safety with plenty of water.
The lagoon is admirably adapted for small vessels
of about six feet draught of water.
I am sorry to say I cannot report so favorably upon
the Grey.
The channel is altogether different and constantly
shifting.
On our entering the deep water of the channel
(which was very narrow and lay along the north-
ern bank, which makes it more difficult of access
with the prevailing south-west wind), we fortunately
entered with a fair wind from the northward, and
found, even then, there was but little room to yaw
about.
The first fresh that came down after our arrival,
gave another entrance direct to the sea, but very nar-
row, and a few days after we had a third, trending to
the west-south-west, each with their accompanying
sandbank, so that it would be imprudent for vessels
of large tonnage to attempt at any time to enter the
river.
There is, however, one thing favorable to vessels
leaving the river, and that is the strong land breeze,
which is experienced every morning; vessels may
with perfect safety get out, should the tides answer,
any time between five and ten o'clock, being sure of a
good commanding breeze, otherwise they would have
to wait until the tide again agreed with the morning
breeze, which would be in about ten days, or take the
chance of a south-wester and smooth bar; there are
about seventeen feet of water on the present inner bar,
what on the other channels I am unable to say, not
having had an opportunity of judging; I should
think, however, that no vessels drawing more than
eight feet of water would become traders to this river,
unless they could secure the assistance of an able and
skillful pilot, as the probability would be that of their
having to wait too long for an opportunity to start, as
it would be unsafe for vessels to be towed out to sea,
from the narrowness of the channels.
In accordance with your instructions, I made care-
ful observations of the latitudes of both the Buller and
the Grey Rivers, the result of which I give you below,
as compared with Mr. Haast\'s Report and the New
Zealand Pilot\'s:—

By this it will be seen that there is little difference
between my observation and the New Zealand Pilot\'s,
and that Mr. Haast is a little out in his latitude, there
being a difference of 3 mins. 53 secs., or near four
miles, in the latitude of the Buller, and 4 mins. 19 secs.,
or upwards of four miles and a quarter, in the latitude
of the Grey.
In concluding my report, I am happy in congratu-
lating your Honor upon the advantages likely to
accrue to this Province from the possession of such a
harbor on the West Coast as the Buller, as without
this our mineral resources in that district, more
especially the coal, would, in all probability, never be
developed.
I have, &c.,
HENRY CLOUSTON.
Nelson, April 15, 1862.