MARTIN’S BAY.

Evening Star, Issue 3745, 23 February 1875, Page 3

MARTIN’S BAY.

(From the ‘ Wakatip Mail,’) Mr A. H. Williamson, of Big Bay, gives a very favorable report of the state of the entrance to Martin’s Bay. He says that on the 15th ultimo, assisted by Mr Robertson and his son, he sounded from the outside of the bar into the river, finding all along not less thru three fathoms of water, with a c’oar working channel of over half a cable’e length at the narrowest point {between the outer rock and end of the spit), running nearly in a straight lice from seaward to the inner anchorage of the river. The end of the jnner sandspit is also washed away for some distance, and between the latter and inner rocks there are now over three fathoms of water where only two were found to bole fore. The improved condiCon of the on trance to the river is attributed to the heavy rainfalls experienced of late. On the. 7th of last month the heaviest flood know*, since the settlement was established took place—the lake rising over twelve feet, or some two feet higher than the highest previously known. We do not see, under these improved circumstances, why the steamer which periodically calls shon'd not proceed directly into the river, instead of standing cut to sea—a procedure which hitherto has necessitated the residents having to put off in boats for any provisions or stores they may require. Besides, once inside, any vessel could ride at anchor safely. Farming p ospects are good, 'I he amount of land under cultivation is small, owing chiefly to discouragement occasioned by the havoc created la&t season by the birds, which dest oyed a great portion of the crops. What wheat, Oats, and potatoes are sown, look well, however.