Rock in Cook's Straits.

In Cook's Straits, there is a rock just awash at
low water springs, between Seal Head and Sin-
clair Head, half a mile outside a line between Seal
Rock and the extreme rock off Sinclair Head.
We got 6 fathoms half a cable south of it. It
was just showing at low water; and as it was not
in our chart, I mention it as extremely dangerous
to vessels hugging the coast, when trying to fetch
into Wellington. It is one mile from the beach.
There is a notice of it in the Wellington and
Canterbury Almanack, correct, except as to dis-
tance from the shore.

The Summer.

At the request of the Superintendent of the
Province of Canterbury, we made a minute survey
of the Sumner Bar. There had been a doubt as
to the feasibility of improving the entrance to
that channel leading to Christchurch. The Pro-
vincial Council had refused to vote a sum for
continuing the construction of the main road,
until receiving my report. That report (of 18th
Dec. 1854) was published in the Provincial
Gazette, where it will be seen from my observa-
tions, I could not recommend an outlay, on im-
proving the mouth of the Sumner; and the money
has been voted for the road now in progress.

Sumner Bar.

We, however, found the Sumner Bar had 12
feet at high water springs, 9 to 10 at Neaps, rise
and fall 7 to 5 feet. It is only 2 1/2 miles from
Lyttelton harbour, well adapted for small
steamers, and I believe a vessel suitable to the
navigation is building. The proximity to a har-
bour, and the general smoothness of the Bar,
renders it under ordinary circumstances safe for
transit of cargo from the Port to Christchurch,
but I believe the attempt to improve it would
absorb an enormous sum; and for reasons men-
tioned in the report, I consider such an attempt
would be detrimental to the entrance.

Progress of Canterbury.

It is foreign to these notices to mention more
than the astonishing progress this settlement of
four years growth has made, the excellent quay
at Lyttelton, the roads about Christchurch, the
ferry, and the immense quantity of land under
the plough, appeared to us to be the work of a far
older province. During our stay two vessels
laden with sheep and cattle arrived, the same
day, from Australia.

Akaroa.

We anchored one day in Akaroa, among the
Anglo-French Society. From what I could learn
there are few changes. The communication with
Christchurch would eventually be completed by
a road, then being laid out. At present the com-
munication is by sea, or via Pigeon Bay. The
whalers have rather neglected visiting this har-
bour, but from no want of supplies. The natives
trade round the peninsula in small schooners.

North Current.-Ascertain the Current.-Sea-weed
from great depths.

There appears to be a prevailing opinion that
there is always a northerly current on the East
Coast of the Middle Island, but I am inclined to
think it does not hold good during the steady
N.E. sea breezes, such as we experienced. During
a calm, when ten miles east of Akaroa, we lower-
ed and anchored a boat to ascertain the set, and
we found the current setting S.S.W. 1/2-mile per
hour, which agreed with our daily observations.
Between Banks' Peninsula and Otago, the sound-
ings increase very gradually, from the
level coastline seaward. We had twelve fa-
thoms ten miles from the shore. Kelp* may be

seen growing in from 20 to 30 fathoms, one piece
we obtained in 21 fathoms, was moored to a stone
with 30 fathoms of stem.

Changes in Otago harbour.-Buoys removed.

We found changes had taken place in the depth
of the Channels in Otago harbour. Since the
Acheron's Survey, and about Port Chalmers, it
had shoaled to some extent. There is no river to
cause freshets by which the channels can be
cleared, and if this silting continues, it will be ne-
cessary to clear the channels by artificial means.

I did not think it necessary to repeat the sur-
vey of the harbour, while changes in progress
may cause it to be far from the truth next sea-
son. An experienced pilot, who has resided there
ten years, watches any alteration.

The buoys had been removed, and some doubts
existed as to replacing them, but I hope and be-
lieve my suggestions on that point will be attend-
ed to, for the Wellington Almanac, and other
works so describe the buoys and beacons as indi-
cating a channel, that a stranger might attempt
the harbour, relying on these guides. When
buoys are necessarily removed, it would be well
to make it public in the Gazettes.

Whaling.-Progress of Otago.

The whaling trade here has lately been aban-
doned, and Right Whales (Balæna Antipodum).
are therefore becoming abundant. The American
whalers have left off their annual visits since the
imposition of customs. Notwithstanding there is
every appearance of rapid progress, and the Cus-
tom revenue having doubled itself in one year
speaks for itself.

Ruabuki.

The island of Ruabuki, at the entrance of Fo-
veaux Straits, affords supplies to whalers. A
Lutheran Mission Station has been productive of
good affects among the nativ

The Molyneux, South of Otago, is frequented
by vessels of 20 tons; but it has an awkward
bar, with a rock in it. I hear it is navigable 30
miles. The roadstead is good, and sheltered from
S.W. winds.

Roads for Shipping.

The Bluff is the only other harbour on the
East Coast, besides Otago, capable of sheltering
vessels of any burden, but there are several good
roadsteads from whence wood and dairy produce
are shipped.

N.N.W. Gales on the West Coast.- Snares.

Early in January we visited the Traps and
Snares. After passing to the westward of Stewart's
Island, we encountered strong N.N.W. gales
which continued for several days, preventing us
from attempting to land on the Snares. The is-
lands consist of a group, extending five miles East
and West; the largest is a little more than one
mile in length by half-a-mile in breadth, rising
on the South side perpendicularly to the height
of 470 feet. The N.E. side is less precipitous,
and probably accessible under very favourable
circumstances: these islands appeared to be des-
titute of vegetation and covered by myriads of
the Pintado, or Cape Pigeon. The Western por-
tion of the group consists of four islets, separated
from the Eastern Island by a channel (apparently
perfectly clear) of 2 miles; we had 79 fathoms 2
miles North and South of the East Island, and it
deepened in every direction, excepting in a line to
the Traps, to which it gradually decreased to 40
fathoms, one mile from the South Trap.

*Macrocystis.