88 TARANAKI GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Wellington, 18th August, 1874.

Sir,—

Referring to my letter to your Honor of the 17th July, No. 225, in which I informed you that Captain Johnson, of the Marine Department, was to be despatched to Taranaki to act as Nautical Assessor at the inquiry into the wrecks of the Paterson and Eliza Mary, and to examine and report on the entrance to the Waitara River, I now do myself the honor to transmit for your information a copy of that officer’s report, and beg to draw your particular attention to the suggestions made therein for improving the condition of the Waitara harbor.

I have, &c.,
(Signed) DANIEL POLLEN.

His Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki.

Marine Department,
10th August, 1874.

Sir,—

Agreeable with your instructions, I examined the River Waitara as to its capabilities for trade, and after taking the opinion of the Chief Harbor Master of the Province, the Harbor Master of the Waitara, and masters of ships who have frequented the place, I have now the honor to submit the following Report:—

The Bar at the entrance to the river projects but little seaward outside of the line of coast at low water, and is much sheltered from the prevailing S.W. wind by a reef, but is open to the N.W., from which quarter at times a heavy sea sets in. During winter and spring the river is subject to heavy freshes, which generally come down about twelve (12) hours after rain has fallen inland; in the months of February, March, and April, little rain falls, and the water immediately inside the Bar occasionally becomes very low, when sand banks are formed and remain there until a fresh comes down that washes them away, which usually happens about the middle of May. From the above circumstances, great and sudden changes often occur in the channel over the Bar, as well as in the entrance to the river, both as to the direction of the channel as well as to the depth of water in it. After a long dry season as little as five (5) feet six (6) inches of water in neaps, and six (6) feet six (6) inches in spring tides at high water has been known; while often after a heavy fresh as much as thirteen (13) feet has been found with a straight channel seaward. Inside the Bar the river is navigable as far up as the bridge, a distance of about three-quarters of a mile, and near Messrs. Websters’ wharf strong moorings are laid to secure vessels to, without which, during heavy freshes, they would be liable to be driven out to sea or on the bar.

Occasionally, no doubt, ships drawing ten (10) feet of water could enter the river with safety. I am, however, of opinion that vessels drawing over seven (7) feet are unsuitable for the trade, and for want of sufficient water would often be liable to detention inside the river as well as outside of the Bar.

Compared with similar rivers, the Waitara is neither dangerous nor difficult to enter, except during heavy freshes, and then it should never be attempted.

In order to give greater safety and facility to vessels, I am of opinion that the following suggestions should be carried out, viz.:—

1. That the Signalman should reside at the Signal Station.

2. That strong posts firmly fixed in the ground on each side of the river should be provided in order to make fast to.

3. That a five or six inch warp of at least 100 fathoms long should be provided in case of accident.

4. That additional signals be provided to ask and to answer—‘How much water a vessel draws.’ When the above suggestions are carried out, and with a steam tug in the river, which I understand is now in course of construction by Messrs. Webster Brothers, I see no reason to doubt that considerable trade with perfect safety might be carried on in the Waitara River.

I remain, &c.,
R. JOHNSON.

Honorable the Commissioner of Customs.