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Directions for entering the Harbour. —The present leading marks may not always be correct; it is said that the Rangitira Sank iB effected by the freshets. On entering or leaving the harbour it must be remarked that the flood sets across the entrance to the Eastward. Therefore on passing the Point, steer for Meanee Point, and the deepest anchorage is immediately inside it. On leaving the harbour, it must be remembered, the ebb sets to the Westward, directly towards the Rangitira Bank. The flood stream runs for nearly two hours after high water to cover the extensive flats. The strength of the tide at the entrance is six to seven knots. The proper time to approach is when it is high water by the beach, there will then be sufficient stream to enter. Vessels drawing six to seven feet of water should anchor off M'Kains Hotel as there is less tide there. Lat. 39° 28' 4A" S. Long. 176° 55' 30" E. Variation 16° E. High water, full and change, 7 hrs. 50 min. This harbour is adapted to vessels drawing ten to eleven feet of water, and is certainly the only harbour deserving the name between Tauranga and Wellington, and within it is capable of considerable improvement. Roadstead. —The roadstead is very good and what are termed the black north easters give amplewarning of approach. Reef. —There is a reef bearing N. 19° E. 2 miles from Ahuriri Bluff having eight feet of water, and we found the bottom uneven north of these rocks. Climate. —The climate of Hawke's Bay is, I am inclined to believe the best in New Zealand. Alike exempt from the humidity of Auckland, and the fiery breezes of Wellington. The inland navigation near Ahuriri is a great natural acquisition to this province beside the Ahuriri. Tukituki River. —-The Tukituki disembogues seven miles to the Southward, having a changeable bar, but is navigable for twelve miles for boats. Nga-ra-Rura River. —This river, the Nga-ra-Rura, runs from the Eastward, intersecting the province, and is navigable many miles into the interior. The Town of Napier. —The town of Napier, and buildings around the port are rapidly advancing and the communication with the settlements of the interior being so simple, both by land and water, this fertile district will become of great importance and the exports must soon be considerable. Want of Timber. —The report mentions the scarcity of timber which has to be imported as natives hold the only timber available and the price is high. Natives. —The Natives of this district appear frank and obliging in their disposition; they are generally better dressed and more advanced in civilization and obedience to English authority than any of the tribes I have met in this island. Anchorages in Hawkes Bay. —The anchorages in Hawkes Bay are : Long Point, in the North Bight of the Bay and Cape Kidnappers at the South. The former offers shelter during North East and South East Gales and the latter in South Easterly and the East side of the Peninsula from the Southwards. Wairoa River. —lt is my intention to examine this part of the coast more minutely during the ensuing season. We found the Wairoa, a considerable river, had changed its mouth within the last three years, having shifted lj miles to the Eastward. The entrance is very difficult, but within it has a depth of 12-14 feet and navigable for boats, twelve miles. Curios Quarrel. —Some years ago when the river was blocked up, the Natives at either end of the Boulder Bank began to cut a channel and a dispute nearly caused a war. Whalers. —The whaling encampment at Long Point which consists of about one hundred Europeans,, is considerably reduced by the wages given for other labour and from the scarcity of the Scamperdown Whale. 103. Following upon this description we turn to a further extract from Captain Drury's report of the 17th December, 1855, published in the New Zealand Gazette, Volume IV, No. 1, of 4th January, 1856, at page % This report goes on to say : We found considerable change in the entrance to Ahuriri since March last, but not less water. The Rangatira Bank is now connected with a low spit extending from the South shore, about one third of a mile north of the mouth. The anchorages in Hawkes Bay are Ahuriri, Long Point and Cape Kidnappers. Ahuriri Roads is safe in South, South West and North West winds and during the ordinary summer North East sea breezes. The anchorage is after shutting in Cape Kidnappers bringing the bluff to bear South East by East and about one mile off the harbour in six fathoms, good holding ground. 104. Reference to Captain Cook's chart of October, 1769, shows the opening at that time to have been either at Ruahoro or Keteketerau. It was not at that time at Ahuriri. It could probably be taken as a fact that a complete blockage of all outlets to the Ahuriri

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