3

E.—4.

mediate neighbourhood there is nothing but clay and sand and a little gravel, woodwork in such a position being apparently out of the question. I determined, therefore, to examine the riverin its upper course, and was highly gratified to find that a supply of stone could be procured at a spot about twelve to fifteen miles up the river, and in a very accessible position. This stone appears in the shape of various strata, 4 to 6 feet thick, protruding at different elevations from the high sloping banks of the river, which are here covered with large fragments which have broken off and slid down the hill-side, many of them as far as the water's edge, which is bordered with them. The rock is composed, for the most part of limestone crystallized and full of shells concreted together, and has at one time or other formed the bed of j;he sea. It is, however, sufficiently hard for the purpose required, and will form an admirable protection to the Castle Cliff and entrance channel, if laid in blocks of all sizes at random in a layer about 3 feet thick, so as to cover the talus and base of the cliff above prescribed, and to form a fringe along and below low water line, in the manner indicated in the plan. If the river should scour under the outer blocks, they would simply sink a little, and others could be added from time to time, to make good any deficiency ; the outer line being made straight and regular so as to give a direction to the outflow, and the largest blocks being placed next the channel. To stop the work of the borers as much as possible, I would suggest that before the talus is covered with rock, it should, as the work proceeds, receive a good coat of loose brush manuka at least 6 inches thick, or of fascines, the surface being prepared to receive it, so that no part of the clay shall be exposed directly to the water or air. These works should be commenced in the river and carried gradually seaward. In reference to the cost of the necessary works, I should recommend that a sum of at least £2,000 be devoted to the removal of snags ; and that amongst the plant required for this purpose a complete diving dress and apparatus be included, by which means much time will be saved in making fast to the snags. The rockwork may be approximately estimated at about 11,000 cubic yards, which, at 10s., will give £5,500; to this may be added say £500 for preparing the slope and laying down brush manuka, and £1,000 for plant, gear, and contingencies, as well as a further sum, which may or may not be required, for the transverse groins, of £1,000, making a total of £10,000. The snagging should be proceeded with at once, and prosecuted vigorously ; the other works may be dealt with more leisurely. It may not be out of place to give an opinion on the character of protective works best suited to this river generally. There can scarcely be a doubt that the method already adopted on parts of the river bank some distance abovo the bridge is the right one, viz. the laying down of fascines pointing transversely to the stream in layers or tiers, one over the other, binding these with stakes, and weighting the whole with clay, earth, and turf, willow stakes being planted freely along and above the water-line. Upright wooden groins of piles and planking appear to be essentially bad and wrong in principle, and produce unlooked-for and prejudicial effects on the channel. One of these structures is standing in the river above the town, detached from the bank, aud I should recommend its early removal. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. John Blaceett.

No. 4. His Honor the Stjpeeintendent, Wellington, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, "Wellington, 16th January, 1874. I have the honor to forward you a copy of a resolution passed by the Provincial Council on the 15th instant, with regard to the issue of a grant of a block of land in the bed of the "Wanganui Eiver, containing forty-eight acres, more or less, to the Mayor, Councillors, and citizens of the Borough of "Wanganui, for tho purpose of reclamation, and to form part of the estate of the Corporation of tho Borough of "Wanganui, under the provisions of Section 2 of " The Public Eeserves Act, 1854." I have further the honor to express my concurrence with this resolution, and to recommend that His Excellency the Governor may be advised to grant the land described in the Schedule to the Mayor, Councillors, and citizens of the Borough of "Wanganui, for the purposes set forth in the resolution. I have, &c, William Pitzheebeet, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 4. Eesoltttion agreed to by the Pbovincial Council of "Wellington, January 15, 1874. Resolved, —1. That the Council recommends that His Excellency the Governor be advised, under the provisions of the 2nd section of " The Public Eeserves Act, 1854," to grant to the Mayor, Councillors, and citizens of the Borough of "Wanganui, all that parcel of land below high watermark in the bed of the Eiver "Wanganui, the boundaries whereof are more particularly described and set forth in the Schedule hereto, and containing by admeasurement forty-eight acres, more or less, for the purpose of reclamation, and to form part of the estate of the Corporation of the said Borough. 2. That an address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to concur in the recommendation contained in the foregoing resolution, and to forward the resolution, with [an intimation of his concurrence, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Schedule. All that piece of land containing forty-eight acres, more or less, being a portion of the right side of the Eiver "Wanganui, lying between the production of the north-eastern boundary of country Section