GREAT SUPERIORITY OF THE HARBOURS IN COOK'S STRAITS !!

New Zealander, Volume I, Issue 50, 16 May 1846, Page 3

GREAT SUPERIORITY OF THE HARBOURS IN COOK'S STRAITS !!

To I7ie Editor of the New-Zealander. Sir,—Having accompanied the squadron on its late expedition to Cook's Straits, with His Excellency the Governor, and perceiving by your journal that you have a strong Lias in favor of the Waitemata harbour and district, I feel much inclined to enlighten you and your readers; therefore, 1 herewith send you a few jottings from my private log, to point out the great superiority of the harbours in Cook's Straits. I am, &c, TOM BOWLINE, Junior.

H. M. S. Castor, when riding at anchor at Port Nicholson, with 90 fathoms of cable out, paited the same. Her Commander, in consequence, lias a very high opinion of Wellington as a harbour, which he has duly notified to the Lords of the Admiralty!!! H. M. S. Castor, on re-visiting Nelson, with His Excellency the Governor, was obliged to anchor in the roadstead outside the harbour, as her Commander did not deem it safe to take her inside, on account of the narrowness of the channel. "It never blows home at Nelson," at least, so it is stated; but it would appear it does blow home, for the Castor was necessitated to stand out to sea on that Very account!! ! At Wanganui, on landing the Governor there, one of the boats was upset, and one of the crew drowned ; the remainder being saved through the exertions of the men-of-war's boats following. His Excellency prepared himself for a swim, but fortunately his capabilities were not put to the test!!! At Porirua, the troops were on board the men-of-war and transports for five days, during a gale of wind; during which time, no communication could he held ivith the shore 1!) At Taranaki, the holding ground is so exceedingly good, that most vessels which have visited that place have left an anchor and chain there : possibly, this may have arisen from the anchorage being exposed to the whole Western Ocean. A " Deep Sea Anchor and Chain Cable Fishing Company," is about being formed at New Plymouth, which is expected to be very remunerating—the only anticipated difficulty is, that it will be impossible to raise only one anchor and cable at a time, there being so many together; and that, in consequence, the Company will not have power sufficient to hoist up the congregated collection !!! H. M. s. Castor experiences no difficulty in even heating into the harbour of Auckland; (although that veracious publication, tile New Zealand Journal, (lalsely) asserts, that no large man-of-war could enter the harbour "on account of an extensive shoal at its entrance." (See New Zealand Journal, of August 2nd, 1845). I should like to have this shoal, pointed out, and when it is, I undeitake to buoy it off'at my own expense. At Auckland, I have never seen it blow iovfive days, during which time no communication could be held with the shore. I have never seen it blow for more than fine hours, during which a whale-boat could not pull from, or to, the anchorage. At Auckland, on account of there having been no anchors and chains lost in the Waitemata, I understand it is not the intention of the inhabitants to form a " Deep Sea Anchor and Chain Cable Fishing Company," being strongly impressed with the belief, and 1 quite agiee with them, that the same would not pay, for the cogent rcuson as above expressed!!!