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Kumara Times, Issue 1145, 31 May 1880, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Times says :_" During the last mx weeks the p.s Taupo has been I & rif attempts to a height of 7ft 2in aft and blocked up, thus giving an average clearance of about 2ft at the fractured parts. It has now been ascertamed that the under part of the keel fills up with sand and shell at each spring tide or strong breeze from the sea. The fractured portion of the vessel is now covered with one ply of No. 1 canvas, but this is not considered sufficiently strong to lift the Ship on, in consequence of the continued silting up. The contractors have therefore deemed it advisable to commence permanent repairs from the inside with concrete, and a large quantity of cement for this purpose arrived by the Glenelg. We are glad to be able to state that the late gales have not had the slightest tffect on the ship The proposed work on the inside of the vessel will prevent any attempt being made to raise her for the next four weeks." Captain Jfullerton, harbormaster, reports to the Melbourne Harbor Trust Commiswon that Hobson's Bay is silting up. His deduction is from takina a series of soundings and small itinerant surveys in positions where dredging is required, or has been effected. He is of opinion that the Bay is silting up at or about the rate mentioned bv both Commander Stanley and Sir John Ooode, that is to say, at abont 3in per annum noon a certain area of the western part of Hobson's Bay, and at about lin per annum in the eastern part. The piers at WUliamstown are condemned as silt-traps, and their extension is discountenanced. Great hopes are entertained regarding the auriferous oountry which will be tapped bv the proposed track to the Big River which is he northern branch of the Blackwater Kiver. A line has been laid out, though not absolutely approved, and some de'ay will be occasioned by the present unfavorable state of the country. When the track is completed a very extensive area of shallow auriferous ground will be opened up, capable oljemploying a modeiately large populations