D.—No. 1j

viucial Council appointed to enquire as to the efficiency of the Manukau Pilot Department at the the time of the loss of H.M.S. " Orpheus," and to inform you that the Committee in question made no report. I have, <fec, Robert Graham, Superintendent. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary.

Enclosure to No. 11. MANUKAU PILOT STATION COMMITTEE, Appointed 12th Mabch, 1863. Members :— Mr. Bateman Mr. Rattray Mr. Daldy Mr. Skeen Mr. King Dr. Pollen (Mover). On motion of Dr. Pollen, Resolved, That Message No. 18 of his Honor the Superintendent be referred to a Select Committee, to consist of Mr. Daldy, Mr. King, Mr. Rattray, Mr. Skeen, and the Mover, with instructions to iaquire and report generally as to the efficiency of the Pilot Department cf the Harbour of Manukau, and specially in relation to the conduct of that Department on the occasion of the wreck of H.M.S.S. " Orpheus." PROCEEDINGS OP COMMITTEE. Friday, March 13th, 1863. Committee met pursuant to notice. Present:— Mr. Bateman Mr. Rattray Mr. Daldy Mr. Skeen Mr. King Dr. Pollen (Mover). On motion of Mr. Daldy, Dr. Pollen took the Chair. Mr. Daldy produced correspondence, &c, relative to the Mauukau Harbour and Pilot Station of -which the letters numbered as follows were read :— No. 93 16th January, 1860 (Captain Wine) No. 884 30th April, 1862 do. No. 1670 13th September, 1862 do. No. 1671 do. do do. No. 480 26th Fobruary, 1863 do. Moved by Mr. Daldy that a letter be written to Captain Wing, requesting him to attend the Committee, with his boat's crew, on the first occasion of his visiting Onehunga, and that Captain Wmg be requested to report himself at the Superintendent's Office. Also a letter to Mr. Evans late Signalman at the Manukau Pilot Station. ' ' Committee adjourned to Tuesday, 17th instant, at 12 o'clock. William C. Daldy, Chairman. Monday, 23rd March, 1863. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present:— Mr. Bateman Mr. King Mr. Rattray Mr. Daldy (in Chair). Minutes of former meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Evans in attendance, and examined. To Chairman : I left the Pilot Station in the Manukau when the Pilotage Fees were stopped I acted as Second Pilot ; no one ever told me I was not to act as such. When I left I had leave of absence for six weeks. I acted as Signal-man. I went to Otago and was longer away than I expected. When I came back I did not report myself. I had no communication with the Harbour Master, or any one connected with the Government. My pay was £7 a month, and I thought it too little to support my wife and family. I never told Captain Wing that I did not intend returning to my situation. _ I was never told by any one that I was not required. I never got any pay from the time of asking leave. I left my situation on the 14th of the month, bnt was never paid for that portion of the month.

11

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