The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, SEPT. 17, 1853. MANUKAU HARBOUR.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 775, 17 September 1853, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, SEPT. 17, 1853. MANUKAU HARBOUR.

He inst nti'i fear not: Let all the ends thou nhn'st at, be thy Country's, , Thy God's, and Truth's.

We have pleasure in giving publicity to the subjoined documents, from which it will be seen that, with a view to rendering this our other valuable harbour immediately more safe for the visits of strange vessels, the Government have without delay complied with a request from a number of our commercial fellow-citizens, by appointing a Pilot. The importance to the City and Province of Auckland of this harbour—supposing it to be accessible without danger—was always so evident, that we cannot wonder at the peculiar gratification "with which the announcement was hailed, that "there is a straight and direct channel of considerable breadth into it, through which 11.M.5. Paridora passed at low water in near four and a-half fathoms." Nor is it matter of surprise that journalists at a distance should have seen its value, and that the Melbourne Argus should have remarked, ''This discovery makes the position of Auckland the best for a port of any probably in this hemisphere, and must effectually henceforth pi event the world from speaking disrespectfully of * Hobson's Choice.'" The publicity thus given to the fact may not improbably induce vessels from other places to direct their course for Manukau; and as the occurrence of any accident at first might, however undeservedly, create a temporary prejudice against the harbour, itwas judicious that the step which has thus been adopted should be taken.

It is satisfactory that not only is a Pilot now to be found on the spot, but also that the charge is confided to one so competent for it as Mr. Marks, who, while trading in and out of the Manukau for a length of time as master of the schooners Eclair and Sisters—proved himself to possess an especially intimate acquaintance with the navigation of the channels.

Auckland, 12th Sept., 1853. Sir, —Referring to the late Survey by Captain Drury, Her Majesty's Ship Pandora, and his discovery of a direct channel by which the harbour of Manukau is rendered accessible, we, the undersigned merchants, land owners, and others, taking into consideration the immense importance to this Province, that the first Ships sailing into that Port should do so in safety, have the honor to request that the Government will lose no time in appointing a Pilot, competent to take charge of them through the passage. We are given to understand that Mr. Marks, who has been accustomed to trade in and out of the Manukau, and knows the channels well, has applied for, or is willing to undertake the office; and when we reflect upon the disastrous eflect which a shipwreck there would have upon the bright prospect now opened, we beg most urgently that the authorities will not allow such a circumstance to be risked for want of this precaution. We have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servants, W. S. Grahame, John Salmon, [Here follow the other signatures/] His Honor the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland.

Auckland, 14th September, 1853. Gentlemen, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th inst., which came to hand last evening, respecting the appointment of a Pilot for the Manukau harbour, and hasten to assure you that your request shall have my earnest and immediate support. A messenger will this day be despatched to Onehunga, conveying the necessary authority to Mr. Marks, to act as suggested, on a salary that, I trust, may be approved and confirmed by the Provincial Council, in the course of the ensuing month. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, R. H. Wynyard. Superintendent. To W. S. Grahame, Esq., and the other Gentlemen signing the requisition for a Pilot on the Manukau. A Letter to the same eflect as the above was also addressed to the Colonial Secretary, to which the following Reply was relumed. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 14th September, 1853. Gentlemen, —I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant, requesting that a Pilot might be appointed for the Manukau Harbour, and beg to inform you that Mr. Hannibal Marks has been temporarily appointed to the situation until the subject can be brought under the consideration of His Excellency the Governor. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, , Andrew Sinclair, Colonial Secretary. To W. S. Grahame, Esq., and the ~ « other Gentlemen- signing the letter, &c.-,- &c. • ':■