E.—_.

1874 NEW ZEALAND.

REPORT BY MR. BLACKETT ON THE WANGANUI RIVER. (TOGETHER WITH FURTHER PAPERS ON THE SAME SUBJECT.)

'Return to an Order of the V>t\ July, 1874. — {Mr. Bryce.)

No. 1. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Wobks. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 2nd December, 1873. 1 have the honor to request that, in order to obtain a survey and report on the present condition of the Wanganui Eiver, and the best method of improving its channel, an experienced officer of your department may have his services placed at my disposal for the purpose in question. The Provincial Government will most willingly defray any expenses which may be incurred. I have, &c, Wm. Fitzheebeet, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 2. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 4th December, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant, in which you request the services of an experienced officer of the Public Works Department may be placed at your disposal, for the purpose of surveying and reporting on the present condition of the Wanganui Eiver; and, in reply, to inform your Honor that the G-overnment have had much pleasure in complying with your request. Mr. Blackett, the Assistant Engineer-in-Chief, has been directed to put himself at once in communication with your Honor. I have, &c., His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Daniel Pollen.

No. 3. REPORT ON THE WANGANUI RIVER, BY THE ASSISTANT ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF. Sic, — Wellington, 4th February, 1874. I have the honor to forward a report on the Wanganui Eiver, made on the request of His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington, and under instructions from the Acting Minister for Public Works. The object of the required survey was to ascertain the present condition of the river, and the best method of improving the channel. I proceeded to Wanganui on the 4th December, 1873, and spent six days in obtaining the necessary information, and in examining the river from the bar to the head of the ordinary navigation, a distance of some twenty to thirty miles. Besides this personal examination, I directed a complete survey of the river to be made, with soundings from the sea to a point about two miles above the town. This was done under the supervision of W. Hales, Esq., District Engineer, the survey being made by J. H. Jackson, Esq. A plan of the survey is attached to this report, as well as a copy of an old plan of the river with soundings made in 1844. The latter I have added in order that a comparison may be made between the state of the river at that date and the present time. I—E. 4.