THE MANUKAU,

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 78, 28 November 1846, Page 3

THE MANUKAU,

To the Editor of the New Zealcuuler. Sir, — The lamented death of Captain Symonds seems not only to have cast a shade over the colonization of the Manukau, but to have left an astonishing degree of mental darkness respecting its poI sition and resources. That a h'irhoiir of such imj portance is neglected as a means of co.nmunlcatiou with Auckland, can only be attributed lo ignorance I of its ( capabilities, or to some ialse notions respecting: its accessibility. Permit me then, Mr. Editor, to lay before jour readers a few facts which may have 1 escaped their notice, and a suggestion or two fouu- , ded on them. ! lam not however going into canal cutting 1 .between the Tamaki and Manukau, or any other at present impracticable scheme ; but wish.to draw attention to the abundant natural tesources the latter possesses, First then, lookal the facility it affords for internal communication. A basin of water twenty miles in bieadth must necessarily afford water communication to a large extent of country skirting its shores; but more than this, excepting a mile ofswamp be- ' tvveen the Awaroa and the Manukau, and six miles of good road between Oneung'a'and Auckland, 'tlie whole of the Waikato and W.aipa country, even'io Kotorua, is' open by water to the Capital, This territory includes many hundred square miles of tlie richest lauds in the Island, and the natives already convey produce by this route. View now its facilities for external communication, especially with the Southern Settlements ; and

let us first glance at the entrance, winch has, 1 hear, alarmed many, who know nothing about it. With f »ur or more fathoms at low wa/cr, and a rise of tide lrotn ten to eighteen feet, ibere can be uu want ol water; anil as it appears that no accident has occurred, and as I know that small vessels occasionally enter on very dark nights, little more need be said than to recommend a buoy or two to be placed there for the guidance of strangers. Now, Sir, place before you amapof New Zealand, and examine for a moment the Comparative distances between Auckland and the Southern Settlements by the East Cape route, and by the Manukau. The foil twing table is sufficiently correct in geographical miles.

BY EAST CAPE. BY MANUKAU. Auckland to Miles. Auckland to Miles. A Port Nicholson . .550 New Plymouth . . . HO tt»Kon .... 050 Nelson ... .280 New Plymouth . . 073 Port Nicholson ... 290

This table needs no comment— Besides ihe immense dirtci en re in the dUtince of the two routes, the Miuiukau one avoids the very stormy East Cape. The voyage to Sydwey and Van Dienieo's Land is shorter bv 200 miles and no North Cape to round. The Mauukau is evidently adapted then lor the station oi a small Sicamck, to run as a packet and mail, to and from the other setHements South ol us ; and I strenuously recommend the Government to provide one of about 150 tons, (with a screw propeller,) to he employed for the purpv so. There is little doubt but she would m >re than j.ay her expei ses by convey in<r goods and passenger?. There is good coal too very near the MauuUau. Beiore I close upon this let me ask, why the Manukdu has never been surveyed ? For with the exception of the heads and entrance, nothing has been done in it. Are the Government surveyor* so very busy that we are to be lelt in ignorance respecting a harbour close to the capital ? 1 trust it will not long remain so, and conclude with a hope that my few remarks m.iy thaw some attention to ths hitherto neglected subject. 1 remain, Sir, yours, &<•. AMICUS NoViE ZCALMIDJE.