76

Curious Quarrel.
Some years ago when the river was blocked up,
the natives at either end of the Boulder bank,
began to cut a channel, and a dispute nearly
caused a war.

Whalers.
The whaling encampment at Long Point,
which consisted of about 100 Europeans, is con-
siderably reduced by the wages given for other
labour, and from the scarcity of the Scamper-
down whale.

Auckland Entrances.
In regard to the surveying operations near
Auckland carried on, as I mentioned, by a party
from the Pandora, whilst we were in the South.
They found the bar of the Thames to have 5
feet, or 15 feet high water springs, 3\frac{1}{2} miles from
the river mouth, and 2\frac{1}{2} miles from the nearest
East Coast.

River Thames.
The channel from thence to the river is straight
one-third of a mile wide. From the bar, the
channel has 2 fathoms at low water, which depth
can be carried to Kopu, 2 miles above Opani (the
west point of entrance), and close to which shore
the channel runs.

Kopu.
Vessels can anchor at Kopu in 12 to 15 feet at
low water, where there is good landing.

Turua.
Vessels of 100 tons can reach Turua at half-
tide, 5\frac{1}{2} miles from Opani; here again is anchor-
age in 2 to 3 fathoms, but the channel is narrow.
Where the river turns suddenly to the eastward,
and winds again southerly 7\frac{1}{2} miles, there is not
less than 4 feet at low water.

Hikutatia.
Here is the junction with the Hikutaia: from
Hikutaia to Opita, 10 miles, the channel has not
more than 2 feet at low water, and the tide may
be said to end. One mile beyond this the channel
is 100 feet wide.

Approach to the Thames.
Bar.
The approach to the low lands of the Thames
is known by a dense Kaihikatea forest on its west
bank, a mile from the mouth; and the white
Mission-house on the east bank, elevated 75 feet,
and on the Kauwheronga Creek. When the right
tangent of this forest bears S.S.E. \frac{1}{4} E., and the
Mission-house E., we come to the bar. Opani
Point will then bear S.E. by E. \frac{3}{4} E.

Navigation.
The banks of the river are of very soft mud. A
quarter of a mile within Opani Point is a shoal
of 4 feet, but leaving a depth of 12 feet in the
channel. But to navigate this river, reference
must be had to the chart; and I shall conclude
by recommending the following beacons and buoys
between it and Auckland, supposing a vessel to
take the direct channel, i.e., through Tamaki
Strait, and Sandspit Channel between Ponui and
Pakshi Islands.

Buoys and Beacons.
A buoy off Pakihi sandspit.
Ditto off a reef extending from Oreri Point
E. \frac{3}{4} N. three-quarters of a mile.
A beacon at the tail of Pakauai Spit.
Ditto at the mouth of the Piako.
Two buoys on the Thames bar, and
A beacon on Opani Point.

The following are the times of high water, full
and change, at different points in the Thames;

High water, full and change, in the Frith off
Oreri Point; 6h: 40m.

Creeks.
Besides the main river, there are several creeks
on the east side of the Frith, navigable for boats
at high water, and two on the west shore.

Wairoa River.
The Wairoa river, between the Thames and
Auckland, is 160 yards wide at the mouth. Pa-
kia Point, the east head, is 160 feet high. The
west point is \frac{1}{4} of a mile within, and is low and
swampy. There is one foot at low water at the
entrance; but within, the average depth is 6 to 4
feet, with a channel 125 yards wide. The first
reach of half a mile has a depth of 6 feet, then 4
feet until reaching Mr. Locke's residence 3 miles
from the head.
Half a mile above this, 1 foot with a rocky
ledge, dry at low water, stretching across 2\frac{1}{2} miles
above, the river is 40 feet wide, having 1 foot at
low water, and 7 feet at high water. There are
holes with 10 to 14 feet.
Six miles is the farthest our boat reached.
There is at present a beacon marking the en-
trance, but a larger one should be substituted
and the channel staked.

High water, full and change.
At the entrance. 7 15 Rise & fall 8 feet.
Two miles up 7 30
Six " 8 45

Te Kooma Harbour.
The Harbour of Te Kooma, just south of Coro-
mandel, affords excellent shelter, in all winds, to
vessels not drawing more than 12 feet. The an-
chorage, 2\frac{1}{2} fathoms, is within the Island of Ra-
ngapukia one-third mile from the entrance.
There is a rock south one-eighth of a mile from
Rangapukia, covered at high water.
This harbour is 1\frac{1}{2} miles in depth, its greatest
breadth \frac{1}{2} a mile.
High water, full and change, 6h. 40m. Rise &
fall, 10 feet.

Channels to Auckland.
The channels into Auckland have been closely
sounded, and no new dangers discovered; the
only deviation from the uniform soundings in the
Tamaki Strait is a shell bank, near mid channel,
between Park Point and Clarke's Island, three
fathoms at low water. The ordinary depth here-
abouts being 4 to 6 fathoms.
The bank bears from Park Point (Moturahui)
S. 59\circ E. 3\frac{1}{2} miles.
From N. Point, Clarke's Island (Motu Karaka)
N. 51\circ E. 3\frac{1}{2} miles.
From Maraitai Point, N. 10\circ W. 1\frac{1}{4} miles.
All bearings in these notices are magnetic, and
distances in nautical miles.

I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
BYRON DRURY,
Commander.

The Honorable
The Colonial Secretary.