Page 3 Advertisements Column 3

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 703, 8 January 1853, Page 3

Diemen, &c., anti, if possible, to enter i Manakau Harbour. I have the honor to bo, Sir, Your most obedient servant, Byron Drury, Commander. The Honorable The Colonial Secretary, SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR THE COAST OF THE NORTHERN ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND, FROM DOUBTLESS BAY TO KAIPARA INCLUSIVE, ROUND THE NORTH CAPE. * Doubtless Bay is clear of danger, with the exception of the Fairway reef and Albert rocks. The Albert reef of the Charts is not a reef, but two rocks well above water with a channel of not loss than 10 fathoms between them, and both are steep to all round, and a vessel may run between them as they arc not sufficiently high to cause eddy winds. The Fairway reef is all connected by a few sunken rocks, and a few just above water. Two miles N.N.W. of Knuckle point is Matai bay. There are two inner bays, the West having the best anchorage in 5 fathoms sand. These inner bays (Ohungahunga and Waikata) are divided by a narrow peninsula, on the summit of which has been a most impregnable Pa. In the East bay is the Native Village of Omnia, from which licsh water and supplies can be obtained.' The hills rising behind this Village are remarkably red, which will point out Matai bay. The only danger on entering the outer bay (Matai) is a rock just covered at high water, and in mid-entrance it lias 25 fathoms all round it, and will almost always show. It is l£ mile N.N.E. of the peninsula. These bays cannot afford a good anc\ior;’,ge in u. N.li. wind. South east of Matai is a small bay also having a rock at its entrance. It is called Orurua bay. North of Matai bay to Cape Karakara the shore is bold. The near off laying rocks being generally uncovered. West of Cape Karakara are the Moturoa islets. The extreme islet is 3 miles West of the Cape, and no rocks without it. There are deep channels between some of these islets, and between them and the main ; but there arc also sunken rocks midway between some of them which only occasionally break, and therefore should not be attempted by a stranger, or indeed any thing but small coasters. From Karakara the land trends S.W. There is from 10 to 12 fathoms of sand across Karakara bay, which terminates with a flat topped hill 300 feet high, called Puheki,and which is a guide to Rangaounou or Awanui river, being miles East of it. The entrance to this river is in a bight 7 miles S.W. of Karakara point of Doubtless bay, a range of hills from 200 to 300 feet from the East head extending 2 miles up the river. From the West head which is sandy and low, (he sand downs commence, and with (he exception of Mount Ohora, are continued to Parengarcnga, and occupy the whole neck extending on the West coast from Ahaipara to Cape Maria. There are rocks above water off the North head, andone two-thirds of a cable off (awash). The channel has not less than 3-|- fathoms, and leads to an anchorage in from 5 to 7 fathoms, and if the rocky ground off Te Kotiatia point had a buoy on lis outer entrance it would leave a channel of not less than 3 cables. On entering Rangaounou pass two cables from Motu Tara rocks off the East head, fur there is one sunken outside those seen dry. Steer S. by W. y W. shoaling from 7 to 3| fathoms until about two-thirdsacross the entrance. WhenTe Kotiatia point bears E. hj S. haul up S. E. by E. \ E and pass fully half a mile from Te Kotiatia point, and when it shuts in the East head, anchor in 5 to 7 fathoms, sand, three quarters of a mile above_the point. This is the deepest water. Half a mile above this, the river flats with narrow channels commence. Te Kotiatia point within 2 miles of the East head, is easily known as being the termination of a range of hills, and has a hat top. Rocks extend one-third of a mile from East to South of this point. The West shore again is shoal, hut it is sand. There are rocks also in Kohonga bay South of Te Kotiatia point, but they arc above the anchorage. There is no bar at the entrance of this river, hut a mile from the mouth, a spit having 2 fathoms extends North, 2 miles from the West beach, but leaving a channel of 7 fathoms between it and the East head. The low Sandy beach, extends from Ranga Ounou six miles *E. by N., when Mount Camel rises 820 feet above the sea level. Immediately to the N.E, of this mountain is a very sung bay, clear of danger and a good anchorage. A vessel might ride out any Westerly gale from North to South in 7 to 5 fathoms and fresh water may be obtained with a little difficulty, and an abundance of fish. If on reaching the neighbourhood of tlie North Cape —from the Southward a vessel should meet with a North West gale—instead of contending against it they should at once proceed to Ohora bay. One mile S.W. of the hay, is Ohora river, which on the approach of a N.E. gale might be entered by vessels not drawing more than 15 feet. The high land on the north shore must he kept on board within half a cable on a West course until a small round islet (Motu Otuua) is seen just opening to.the left of Tokoroa Islet W.N.W.— which is the course in. Moor well over on the North Shore soon after passing the south sandy point. Having the summit of the mountain bearing N.W. As a sand spit extends half a mile from the South shore, the channel is rendered very narrow and the room for anchorage small, and the tide being very rapid, this river should only be run for under favourable circumstances, or on the first approach of bad weather. There is another bay to the N. (3 miles) of the mountain, hut the anchorage is not equal to Ohora bay, between it and Ohora bay are two rocks awash a quarter of a mile from the steep cliffs. Leaving Ohora, three Islets stretch to the Northward, 1 hj mile from the coast, steep to. The coast then trends N.E. by N. for six miles, low cliffs and sandy bays. Then a sandy bay of 11 miles in length is terminated by Parengarcnga. The soundings are regular off the Coast, having 1 2 to 1G fathoms, from I to 2 miles off, —sandy bottom. Parengarcnga is six miles South of the North Cape, has a Bar of 15 feet, a narrow entrance, but plenty of water within. It branches into three extensive creeks. The Bar generally breaks, hut, our open boats crossed it twice during Westerly winds. In N.E., winds it would be very heavy. The outer part of the Bar is 1j- mile from the shore, and when at the entrance Kohau or Coal point, (a point 2 miles from the entrance) hears N.E., steer in West until a low sandy point is on with the point of Kotihau bearing W.S.W. N.B.—Kotihau is a cliff point 20 feet high, a mile beyond the sand point. This course leads to a safe anchorage in 4 or 5 fathoms, but until this river is buoyed, the channel will he best seen from aloft. When within the Bar, the south shore is steepest. The Bays within the North Cape offer good an- * In reference to these remarks, I wish it to be understood that portions of the coast here treated of are still undergoing further examination, and in the course of the survey hidden dangers may be discovered, which are by no means uncommon in these seas ; and I lake this opportunity of earnestly inviting a communication from any master of a coaster, or other persons aware of the existence of any danger, that our attention may be uiiiiediately directed to it.