latter appears to be a narrow ledge extending a cable |
north and south, a channel within, its centre is 2
miles N. 70 E. from the south of Mahia, these rocks
have at least eight feet of water on them, and only
break when there is a swell. We sounded a channel be-
tween Portland and the Mahia of six fathoms, and a
quarter of a mile in width. The rocks extending from
Portland and the Mahia shew, and the channel is more
on the Mahia shore.
If a vessel is caught in a souther, and cannot weather
Portland, this route is available, but as it leads among
the rocks before-mentioned, it is not to be recommend
ed. The tide sets through with a force of two knots,
abbs to the south-east across the Portland reef.
The south extreme of Portland is foul, but not above
half a mile from the shore.
We found a shoal patch in Long Point Bay, with 22
fathoms on it, N.N.E. from Long Point and S.W. by
W. from Moemoto Head three cables. The ground off
Mohaka is foul, and the covered rock two miles N.N.E.
of Ahuriri Bluff, are all the dangers we found or heard
of in and about Hawkes' Bay.

• We found considerable change in the entrance to
  Ahuriri since March last, but not less water; the Ra-
  ngitera bank is now connected with a low spit extend-
  ing from the south shore, about one-third of a mile
  north of the mouth.
  The anchorages in Hawkes' Bay are Ahuriri, Long
  Point, and Cape Kidnappers.
  Ahuriri Roads is safe in south, south-west, and north-
  west winds, and during the ordinary summer north-east
  sea breezes. The anchorage is after shutting in Cape
  Kidnappers, bringing the bluff to bear S.E. by E., and
  about one mile off the harbour, in six fathoms, good
  holding ground.
  Cape Kidnappers anchorage is the shelter afforded by
  a reef extending from a point a mile westward of the
  Cape; the best anchorage is a mile south-west of the
  extreme. Here a vessel can ride out south-east and south
  winds; the anchorage has otherwise little to recom-
  mend it; the holding is bad, and no water or stock can
  be procured.
  On the north-east extreme of Hawkes' Bay we find
  Long Point Roads, sheltered from all winds but west-
  erly. The holding ground is not always good, but by
  anchoring a mile from the point, bringing Long Point
  to bear S.S. W., there is good protection from the black
  north-easter, and ample room to weigh. To ride out
  a south wind, it is requisite to get well and close in
  side Long Point, until an opening or cleft shows itself;
  bring the point to bear south-west, in seven fathoms
  blue clay, this is the best holding ground; the cliff
  within the point is steep to, but vessels should be pre-
  pared to take an outer berth when the gale abates, and
  if a south-west wind sets in proceed to Wangawai. In
  Hawkes' Bay there are three more minor anchorages
  for small vessels, under Black Reef Point, between
  Long Point and Portland Island, under Waikokopu,
  and under Whakaari, but their partial shelter is only
  adapted to those coasters who are accustomed to take
  up the berth. There is the Waipapa boat harbour be-
  tween Whakaari and Waikare, it is under the highest
  white bluff.
  The Rivers Wairoa, Mobaka, and Tukituki, are, be-
  sides Aburiri, used for trade. The former river can
  take in a vessel of 3) to 40 tons; the Mohaka, vessels
  of 10 tons, but the entrances are difficult; the
  mouths shift, and a south swell detains them with the
  chance of being blocked up.
  The anchorages off these rivers are fair in fine wea-
  ther, but a heavy ground swell sets into the bight of
  the bay off Wairoa and Mohaka. On the approach of a
  south wind, on one occasion it appeared ready to break
  over us in 12 fathoms.
  Hawke's Bay has a fine climate, but the winds are
  very uncertain, and the sudden South-easters make it
• Aburiri Harbour has been mentioned in a former
  Gazette.
  It frequently blows from the north-west in
  Hawkes' Bay, while it is north-east at Long Point; the
  neck of low land causing the in-draft. The black north-
  easter is so called as distinguished from the summer
  sea breeze from the same quarter.
  Long Point affords an excellent supply of water.

2
necessary to be cautious when trading off Wairoa and
Mohaka; the southers give more warning, by an over-
cast sky, but they are violent, especially in the winter.
The westerly winds occur chiefly in October and No-
vember, blowing very strong with a low barometer, but
generally fine weather. The black north-easter may be
expected about once a month; this gale comes
on very gradually, but latterly blows very hard, ac-
companied by rain, veering to north-west and south-
west.
The ordinary summer wind is a fine north-easter,
with hazy weather, setting in at 10 a.m., and dying
away at sunset, and succeeded by a land wind.
The Barometer rises to north-east, south-east, and
south winds, and falls to north, north-west, and
westerly.
Rainy weather may be expected with north winds,
and the black north-easters, and often with south-east
winds. Sometimes dry south-easters last for many
days.
The tides in Hawke's Bay are slack, but strong in
the river mouths.
The Flood sets in from the south, Ebb from the north.
High water, full and change and Long Point, 6h. 0m.
Rise and fall: Neap, 4 feet; Springs, 6 feet.
There are now eight Whaling Stations working on
the west coast of Mahia, 22 Europeans, the crews
Maories.
There are settlers at Wairoa and Mohaka, the former
being the Mission station.
The Whaling stations at Whakaari and Cape Kid-
nappers are at present deserted; the trade is annually
decreasing, the whales becoming scarce.
The aspect of the country in Hawke's Bay is moun-
tainous on the north, with fine valleys at Wairoa,
Mobawka and Whakari, and these are the timbered
districts.
South of Waikari we come to impassable white cliffs,
backed with undulating downs of curious formation,
from the extreme regularity of the rises and hollows,
Twelve miles from Ahuriri the cliff ends abruptly,
when the fine grazing land and extensive plains of this
district, face the sea until reaching Cape Kidnappers.
This Cape is broken agilaceous clay of peculiar
whiteness.
In all these cliffs fossil shells are found identical
with the present species-the Terebratula-in abun-
dance, proving (Geologically speaking,) the recent up-
heaving of the coast.

I am, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
BYRON DRORY,
Commander and Surveyor.

The Honorable
the Colonial Secretary,

N.B.—All distances are given in nautical miles, bear-
ings magnetic, and depths low water spring tides.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland,
29th December, 1855.

HIS Excellency the Governor has been
pleased to direct that the following en-
closure to the Despatch of H.M. Secretary of
State of the 31st May, 1855. published in the
Government Gazette of the 14th Dec., 1855,
No. 30, folio 257, should be published for
general information.

By His Excellency's command
ANDREW SINCLAIR,
Colonial Secretary.

Office of Committee of Privy Council
for Trade, Marine Department,
25th May, 1855.

SIR.—
Various communications having been made
to my Lords concerning the inconvenience
sustained with respect to ships registered in
the British Possessions abroad, in consequence