D.—No. la,

I am advised that in the Session of the Council which now approaches the necessary measures will be taken to secure the attendance of witnesses and bring the enquiry to a close. As soon as I can obtain a copy of the minutes of the evidence and of the Report of the Committee, those documents shall be forwarded for the information of his Excellency the Governor. Meantime I content myself with assuring you that I know of no grounds upon which the assertion of Captain Wing, that the Provincial Government (during my term of office) neglected to provide—so far as votes of the Provincial Council enabled them^for the "necessary requirements" of the Port of Manukau, can be sustained. I have, <fec, J. Williamson. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

No. 13. THE HONOEABLE TIIK COLONIAL SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, AUCKLAND. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 12th September, 180:3. Sir, — In my letter No. 343, of the 27th ultimo, transmitting to your Honor a Despatch from the Secretary of State, on the subject of a statement of the Pilot at Manukau, on the occasion of the wreck of H. M. S. " Orpheus," I informed your Honor that I had sent a copy of the correspondence to your Honor's predecessor, whose conduct, so far as related to the maintenance of the Pilot Station at Manukau, the statement referred to, impugned. Mr. Williamson's reply, a copy of which I enclose, attributes the failure of any report from the Select Committee of the Provincial Council, which was appointed last Session to enquire into this subject, to the non-attendance of the Pilot at Manukau at any of the meetings to which he was summoned. Without venturing any opinion on this point, I have only to request, in order that the instructions of the Secretary of State may be effectually carried out, that your Government will be good enough to take such steps as may ensure a thorough investigation into Captain Wing's original charges, which, I understand from Mr. Williamson, will be again brought before a Select Committee of the Provincial Council at its approaching Session. I have, ifec., Alfred Domett. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland.

No. 14. THE SUPERINTENDENT, AUCKLAND, TO THE HONOBAULE THE COLONIAL SECBETAEY. Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 12th October, 18G3. Sir, — Referring to your letter No. 362, of date 12th September ultimo, I have the honor to forward herewith copy of a letter addressed to me by the Harbour Master of Manukau, under date 26th September, ultimo, on the subject of his attendance before a Committee of the Provincial Council, from which you learn that Mr. Williamson has been misinformed on that point I have, «fec, Robert Graham, Superintendent. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

Enclosure to No. 14. MB. WING TO THE SsUPEKlNTENDENT, AUCKLAND. Pilot Station, Manukau, 26th September, 1863. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter, dated 18th instant, with copy of letter attached from the Honorable the Colonial Secretary, under date 12th instant

13

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