H.—26.

1875. NEW ZEALAND

ROCKS BETWEEN CAPE FOULWIND AND CAPE FAREWELL, (INFORMATION RELATING TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 2017t July, 1875. "That there be laid on the tablo all papers and information relating to rock? or breakers, the existence of which have been reported to the Government, between Cape Foulwind and Cape Farewell, on tho Western Coast of the Middle Island."— {Mr. O'Neill.)

No 1 The Haeboue Mastee, Westland, to the Seceetaey of Customs. Sie, — Harbour Department, Hokitika, 12th February, 1872. I have the honor to forward to you, a report of the approximate position of breakers seen on the West Coast of the Middle Island by Captain Thos. N. Clarkson,, master of the schooner " Spray," during the month of October, 1871, and also on the 4th January, 1872. Captain Clarkson informs that no sounding was attempted being taken, as they passed much too close to them in the dark, and were upon them before they expected. I have, <&c, Tnos. Tuenbull, W. Seed, Esq., Harbour Master, Westland. Secretary of Customs (Marine Branch), Wellington. _ H , . 1

Enclosure in No. 1. Captain Claekson to the Haeboue Masteb, Westland. Sie,— Hokitika, 9th February, 1872. I have the honor to inform you that, on my voyage from Lyttelton to the West Coast, in the month of October, 1871, to my surprise I saw breakers on the starboard beam of me at 10 a.m. on the 25th October, and I took the following bearings from the vessel, being becalmed at the time, but a heavy sea roll on:— Wanganui Inlet, EN.E. "} Kiourangi Point, S.S.E. |E. Position of ship. Sock Point, S. by E. ) At the same time the breakers bore from the ship N.E. by | E., distant about two miles. I also passed close to the breakers on night of the 4th of January, 1872, at 10 p.m., and am convinced that a dangerous reef exists near the position given above. I have, &c, Thos. N. Claekson, To Captain Turnbull, Master of schooner " Spray," Lyttelton. Harbour Master, Hokitika.

No 2 The Haeboue Mastee, Westland, to the Seceetaey of Customs. Sie, — Harbour Department, Hokitika, 20th April, 1872. I have the honor to inform you that Captain ltusscll, of the schooner "E. N. Cameron," which arrived at this port this morning, reports obtaining soundings on a rocky patch six to eight miles off Kiourangi Point, West Coast of the Province of Nelson. Whilst on his voyage from Lyttelton to this