D.—No. U

Enclosure 3 to No. 7. MB. WING, HARBOE MASTER, TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, AUCKLAND. Pilot Station, Manukau, 13th Beptemfeer, 1862. Sir, — I have the honor to report that application has been made at your Office for permission to obtain labor and materials for the repair of Signal Masts and Pilot Boats since 30th April last, the same now being unfit for efficient service for want of the labor and materials applied for, and I also beg to state that I require the assistance of a carpenter for a month or six weeks to build a Signal house and other necessary repairs and fixings about the Signal Mast, which is absolutely necessary for the proper working of the Station. I have, &c, Thomas Wing, Harbor Master. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland.

Enclosure 4 to No. 7. MB. WING, HAKI1OB MASTER, TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, AUCKLAND. Pilot Station, Manukau, 13th September, 1862. Sir,— I have the honor to report that the South side of the Channel from Puponga to Cape Horn is now Buoyed and Beaconed, the same being painted Red. The buoys are cone shaped and placed in three fathoms low water. The Beacons on the edge of the shoals have from eight to ten feet water near them at the same time of tide. But to make the work more complete it is necessary that eight Can Buoys (less expensive than cone Buoys) should be placed on the North side of the Channel to show the positions of two dangerous ledges of rocks and several sand spits which are covered at half-tide and much in the way in navigating that part, and would recommend the same to be completed as soon as possible. There are three plain Piles placed on the North side of the Channel, shewing the ends of Sand Spits, between Cape Horn, and Horse Shoe Bight near Shag Point which are to be painted white and kept on the Port hand inwards. I have also to report that the Beacons formerly placed between Cape Horn and White Bluff have been destroyed by vessels unknown to me getting in contact with them during the night, and as it is necessary to mai'k off that part of the Channel in accordance with the rest, I would recommend that three Buoys be placed in the room of the Beacons missing, which are less liable to accident. I have, «fec, Thomas Wing, Harbour Master. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland.

NEW ZEALAND

No. 70.

No. 8. copy of DESPATCH from his grace the duke of Newcastle, e.g., to governor sib geoege GREY, K.C.B. Downing Street, 28th May, 1863. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 14, of the 11th of February, forwarding a Report from the Harbor Master at Manukau relative to the wreck of Her Majesty's Ship " Orpheus." The Harbor Master concludes liis Report with the following words: " I feel it my duty to say that had the late Provincial Government supplied the necessary requirements of the Pilot Station, many valuable lives would in all probability have been saved on this occasion." If this statement be correct, the Harbor Master has done his duty in making it, and is highly to be commended for not having been deterred by the fear of censure or resentment on the spot from telling the truth. If, on the contrary, there is any error in the statement, it is only due to the late Provincial Government that it should be cleared up. I regret that it did not occur to you that it would have been desirable that you should ascertain and distinctly report to me what were the particular requirements to which the Harbor Master alludes, —whether they were brought under the notice of the Provincial Government, and if so in what manner, how often, and at what dates, and

9

LOSS OF H. M. S. " ORPHEUS."