PORT WAIKATO.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 153, 18 December 1863, Page 3

PORT WAIKATO.

The river AA'aikato between Mangatawhiri and the sea has hitherto been almost unknown ; and no reliable information could be obtained of the character of its entrance. Absurd stories were current respecting the impracticability of the bar at its mouth: hut investigation has dissipated all these, and AVaikato has now proved to be the very best harbour on the West Coast of the Northern Island. It has a straight entrance from seaward, with a depth of 13 feet at the lowest spring tides, the mean rise being 8 feet, rendering the entrance available to merchant ships of large capacity. But good as is the entrance, the harbour itself is still belter, well sheltered from every wind, having excellent anchorage with a bottom of sand and mud, and with sufficient room for a numerous fleet.

The site for a town has been selected and surveyed by Mr. Heaphy—a town in our opinion, destined speedily to become one of the most important in New Zealand. H.M. S.S. Eclipse is at present at anchor, in six fathoms, within two hundred feet of the shore ; and the water runs deep close to the site of the town.

The Colonial Government, we are happy to learn, are taking active measures for the formation of building yards, houses, a wharf, and other conveniences, in order that this invaluable position may be turned to immediate account in the conveyance of supplies to the future capital of Waikato. The iron steamers expected from Sydney by the Beautiful Star will be put together there. She was to leave Sydney on the 6th and may be expected to arrive in the Waikato on Sunday next. The Lady Barkly leaves on Thursday morning for Waikato Heads, with a draft

of forty men from the 2nd Waikato Regiment, a full company of which, under Gapt Antrobus, is to be stationed there.

The Emma Eliza is now lying at OneIninga, laden with timber and other materials for the wharf at Waikato, Mr. Daniel Simpson, with a strong party of workmen, proceeding thither to carry out the necessary works. —New Zealand Herald, Dec. 9.