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New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 746, 8 June 1853, Page 2

It had been known for some time tint H.M.S. Pandora was engaged in a Survey cf the Manakau Harbour, and it had transpired that the result of the examination was likely to prove in a high degree favourable. Still, the official report was looked for with an anxiety proportioned to the great importance of the commercial and general interests in- ‘ volved; and to“the decisive weight which would attach to the judgment arrived at by Captain Drury and his officers, whose authority in such matters is now so fully established and so universally respected, not only in New Zealand but in the neighbouring colonies.' That report has just been published in the Government Gazette and will be found in extenso in our columns to-day. We are happy to say that it more than realizes all the expectations that had been entertained of i!s satisfactory character, and that it opens up a prospect of further advancement for Auckland and its district which we cannot bit hail with the liveliest gratification. The great central fact of the existence and availability of a safe and direct channel of access to the Manakau Harbour for large vessels, is abundantly attested by the statement that the Pandora herself passed through it, with studding-sails set, at near low water, in four and a-quarter fathoms, —the course steered having been the most straight and direct line, and thalwhich is indicated by the most conspicuous objects,—and the passage having been made “ on the day alter a westerly gale, without a breaker.” The reasons why this apparently obvious mode of access had not previously been generally believed in,—why, on the contrary, prf* judices against the harbour existed extensively,—are investigated at some length in the report, and the errors which have hitherto prevailed are cleared up by the Pandora's more scientific and pains-taking observations, which are brought forward with a precision sufficient to enable every nautical reader to satisfy himself as to their accuracy and conclusiveness. Captain Drury, it will be seen, goes on to recommend the steps which should now be taken to turn the results of Ins survey to purposes of immediate practical utility. He especially advises the establishment of a signal station, and a light station, (the best sites for which he points out), and the buoying off the channels, according to rules which he lays down in the business-like manner by which the entire Report js

7^act e ,’ised. These and other particulars % be found detailed in the document If. and not the least encouraging passage •clhat in which Captain Drury says “Ilis Ucellencv, I am aware, is fully prepared crive effect to any means for benefiting : his ° harbour.” Indeed we can have o apprehension that any avoidable delay "ill* he permitted on the part of the f overnnient in turning the information thus l-iced in ll |e ‘ r hands to the fullest account for the. good of the district, i v great that good may eventually J n to be, it may be rash to calculate ni'OV<-> lu u i J , ... soecifically; but it seems scarcely possible to exaggerate the advantages to be anlicipa- , City and the whole Province of Auckland from a prompt and vigorous prosecution of measures by which this harbour, ___ in suc h close proximity to Auckland—iv he rendered fully available in shortening the distance to the ports of Australia; and by which the immense resources of the wide ind fertile district of the Waikato may be developed as they have never hitherto been, to the mutual and growing benefit of both colonists and Natives. It was no doubt a conviction of the magnitude of the advantages to be thus realized that induced the colonists to make the reniiosl for the Survey to Lieutenant-Governor Wvnvard to which the Report refers; arid it was in entire harmony with the solicitude lor the prosperity of the district which Colonel Wynyard has always manifested that he should have employed his official influence in furtherance of so desirable an undertakin<T. At the same lime there is ample evidence that Captain Drury and his officers entered upon it not in a cold or perfunctory manner —as the mere discharge of a professional duly, but with a zeal and earnestness stimulated by a generous desire to accomplish a work of so much importance to the country, which is certainly worthy of all commendation. The narrative” at the close of the Report affords some intimations of the laborious character of the work, and olTtheefforisandeven privations connected with its performance during a season of unprecedented inclemency: and we are glad to sec that Captain Drury has made honourable mention of Lieutenant Jones, and Messrs Kerr, 11. Kerr, Stanley, Oke, Ellis, Blackncy and Farmer. The names of these gentlemen, together with his own merit, permanent record, as having so earnestly engaged in a task the successful execution of which is likely to confer lasting and signal benefit on the Province of Auckland, and indeed sn the adjoining, and still more Southern Provinces, as well.

The Case of Stabbing at the Bay of Islands. —With reference to the case of the Queen v. Cooper, of which a notice appeared in our last, wc readily insert the following note from James Busby Esq., of the Bay of Islands : “ Mr. Bushy presents his compliments to the Editor of the New-Zealander, and begs to inform him that the Resident Magistrate at Russell is not justly subject to blame for the temporary failure of justice in the case of Jeremiah Cooper. The prisoner was not committed at an earlier dale because Captain Tucker was not sooner able to attend at the Police office ; and it was found that a bedside deposition might, in his precarious slate, have proved injurious, if not ilancceroi.s to him. The necessary documents, however, reached Auckland, though not the hands of the proper officer, in due time.” “ Auckland, June 7, 1805.''