LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 197, 21 October 1864, Page 2

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Executive.— A Gazette of Wednesday las fc contains the appointment of Joseph Rhodes, Esq. as member of the Executive Council of the Province. Hakbouu Improvement Commissioners. —The same Gazette , contains the following letter: — Superintendent’s Office, Napier, Bth Oct., 1864, Sie,-—Th# necessity of obtaining reliable scientific advice on the best means to be adopted for deepening and improving the Napier harbour before any considerable outlp is incurred, is so obvious, that I am anxious that steps should be immediately taken for this purpose. A great deal of information will be required to enable scientific men at a distance to arrive at a decision as to the most practical means of effecting this object. Also detailed plans shewing the entire sheet of water known as the Napier harbour, accompanied with references, giving the soundings, influences of tides, winds, and discharge of rivers, the rate and direction of currents, rise and fall of tide, changes that may have taken place in the harbour as far as can be ascertained, together with a map delineating the features of the country, including the whole of the Ahuriri plains, back to the first range ef hills surrounding the plains to the south and west. It would likewise be advisable to have a section and cross section of the Ahuriri plains the data lings being high water mark. A dmrt should be prepared of the coast line between Petane and Cape Kidnappers, continued (if the Commissioners consider it advisable) to Table Cape, giving the soundings and delineating more particularly the features of the country from Petane to Ahuriri harbour, including Scinde Island and the country between there and Clive. The Commissioners are empowered to call for and accept all tenders for the necessary surveys and preparation of plans. A full and comprehensive Report—embracing such information as the Board may deem essential, together with any suggestions for the information of the gentlemen in England who will bo asked to give their opinion on Harbour Improvements—will he indispensable. The services of any of the Provincial officers, capable of giving information, will be placed at the disposal of the Commissioners, and if such assistance is found insufficient, others should be employed. Members of the Board who have to incur travelling or other extraordinary expenses, will ha remunerated for the same on the recommendation of the Board, It is so important for the interests of the Province that action should be taken in this matter, that I have every hope the Commissioners will give it their earliest attention. I have the honor to he, &c., &c., DONALD M’LEAN, Superintendent. The Chairman of the Harbour Improvement Commissioners, Napier.