SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUN-SET: This evening, 6.55 BUN-BISB: To morrow morning, 5.35 HIGH WATER: This evening, 5.24 ; to-morrow morning, 5.48

ARRIVALS.

ketch, from Whangapoa 1 Clematis, ketch, from t* ai_ier Rowena, 3.5., from Russell

DEPARTURES.

j-sewtia, sc>.ooner, for Napier, via Tairua

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Hero, for Sydney, next week Mikado, s s., for San Francisco, via Kandavu, 16th Chile, ship, for London, early Bella Mary, barque, for Hobart Town, early PriDce Alfred, barquentine, for HobartjTown, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Mikado, s.s., from the South, to-morrow Hero, s.s , fr.-un Sydney, due Alb. on, brig, from Newcastle, early Alice (Ji meron, barque, from Sydney •Anajrl, barque, from London. Sailed October 31 Empreza, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed October 15 JJylton Castle, barque, from London. Exclsior. schooner, from Dunedin Queen of the Age, ship, from London Sailed Nov. 15 Queen of the South, barque, fom Dunedin, early Zior, schooner, from Wellington. Sailed Feb 2

ls?A survey has been held by Captains Daldy land Clayton of the damage done to the Alla habad._ It has been discovered that the in jury is confined to the rigging aud upper works of the ship entirely. The bottom is perfectly sound, and the vessel does not even leak. Tenders for the necessary repairs will be invited at an early date. The ship Chile has hauled off the wharf to make room for the mail steamer Mikado ex pected this evening. The Chile will have her repairs completed while at anchor in the stream. She is expected to sail for London in about a week's time.

The brig Tower Hill, Capt. Harliss, was announced to leave Newcastle for this port 31st ult. with 210 tons coals.

The Clio, ketch, arrived this morning from Wangapoa with 60,000 feet of timber. The s.s. Rowena arrived in harbour this morning at rive o'clock, from Russell, which port she left at noon yesterday. Coming down the coast the Rowena encountered a strong wind amounting to half a gale from the east. Late last night in a squall sprung mizen topmast. She brings a cargo of 65 bags of gum for Messrs Henderson and Mac farlane, 13 bags of gum for Messrs Stone Bros. She also brings the following passen gers :- Saloon : Rev. Mr Burrows, Messrs Swanson, Hutchinson, Crabe, Grant and Oamieson ; Mrs Hutchinson, Mrs Hog, Mrs Wilkinson and Mrs Parsons, and seven in the steerage.

POET OF RUSSELL.

- Vessels Loading at Coalmines.—Mer lin, Herald, Wanderer, Speedwell, Wanga rei, Maid of the Mill, Gazelle, Rowena, Mary Thompson. Outwards Coastwise. —February 7: Po liceman, 62 tons, Evinson, for Thames, with 80 tons coal; Julia Price, 41 tons, Queen, for Thames, with 70 tons coal. February 9 : Prince Rupert, 60 tons, Berwicke, with 92 tons coal. February 10 : Rowena, 74 tons, McGregor, for Mongonui, with original cargo. February 12 : Fiery Cross, 72 tons, Bowers, for Kaipara, with 95 tons coal; Phantom, 23 tons, Lombard, for Auckland, with 33 tons coal; Fawn, 28 tons, Bam, for Auckland, with 23 tons coal. February 13 : Rowena, 74 tons, McGregor, for Auckland, with 10 tons coal.

COMMERCIAL.

At Mr L. W. Eaton's fruit sale, ex Phcebe, to-day, grapes realised 3d to 4|d ; pears, l£d to 2^d ; oranges, 5s to 10s per case; lemons, 7s 6d; passion fruit, 7s 6d; apples, l^d to 2d ; and plums, 3gd.

At the unreserved sale of Mr Hardington's horses, omnibuses, harness, lamps, etc., to day by Mr Alfred Buckland. There was a large number of persons, and a good attend ance of bidders. The horses-all in good condition—fetched fair prices, averaging from £10 and £12 to £30. The ordinary omni buses fetched from £7 to £10, which ap peared a sacrifice, considering that they cos_t £80 when new. The mammoth coach, which cost £280, was not sold. The harness, lamps, and yard-bell were all disposed of in twenty minutes at good average rates.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :—

For Thames, on Monday, at 10.30 a m, and 5.30 p m For Tauranga, per Vincent, to-day, at 5 p m For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Ladybird, on Monday, at 7 am For Norfolk Island and New Caledonia, per Clio, on Monday, at 9 am For the undermentioned places, per s.s. Mikado, on Monday, 16th instant, as under : —

For Fiji.Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 10.30 a.m. For the UDited Kingdom and Continent of Europe, via San Francisco, at 10.30. a.m. Letters bearinglate fee will be received until 11 a.m For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 9.30 a.m. For Russell. Wangaroa, and Mongonui, pet Rowena on Monday, at 3 p m For Taranaki and Wanganui, per St. Kflda, on Tuesday next, at 10 a m For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per s.s. Phoebe on Wednesday next, at 8 a m

(Signed)

S. B. Bias. Chief Postmaster,

BIRTHS.

"Waymouth—On the 7th instant, at Scarborough Terrace, Parnell, Mrs Ibenezer Waymouth, of a son. H R

"Wjxey—On Febmary 5, at Onehunga, the wife of Mr Thomas "Wixey, of a daughter. Carter—On February 5, at the Huaraw, via Waiuku, the wife of Mr William Carter, of a daughter. Carter—On February 14, at south Nelson-street, the wife of Mr David Carter, of a son.

DEATHS.

W ILLIAMSOK—Drowned February 2, on board the Flora McDonald, Robert Mann Williamson, fourth son of the late Thomas Williamson ; aged 14 years.

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And +hft food that wo can-do

Mr Moriarty's report on dock accommoda tion was laid before a special meeting of the Harbour Board to-day. In order to place beforethe public all the information available on this important subject we have been com pelled to condense other local matters, and to defer comment. The text of the report will be found in another column. We also give elsewhere the details of a shocking marine disaster reported some weeks ago by tele graph, but the particulars of which are only just to hand per s.s. Phcebe.

The Hobson Company of Rifle Volunteers under Capt Bnrns, went through their usual weekly drill and inspection last evening at the Catholic Institute.

Mdlle. Jenny Glaus, violinist, who is at the present time creating a sensation in the Australian colonies, will vi sit this province about the middle of next month.

The " Magic Melody," or Fortunio's song, an operetta of some pretensions, by Offen bach, will, we are informed, be produced in a few days at the Choral Hall by the ama teurs, who are labouring for the completion of the hall and the discharge of the incum brances on it. This operetta had a long run in London, and is one of the most popular of this composer's works.

The Coromandel Mail reports an accident to a man named George Spence, in the employ of the Union Beach Company. It appears that he waß placing a bucket in the shaft, and while lowering the rods laid hold of the rope, which was running at some speed, and in doing so got two of his fingers and the thumb of the right hand badly jammed. We are happy to state that he is going on all right under the care of Dr Hovell.

Those eminent actors, Mr Hoskins and Miss Colville, will perform for the last time this evening, previous to going away, at the Prince of Wales Theatre. The selections will embrace scenes from "A Happy Pair," "The Hunchback," and other popular and time proved comedies.

The anniversary services of St. James' Presbyterian School, Wellington-street, will be conducted to-morrow. It should have been last Sabbath, but was postponed in consequence of inclemency of the weather. The Rev. Mr. MacNiccol will preach in the morning, and the Rev. Mr Forsaith in the evening. Services a. usual in the afternoon.

We are glad to be able to announce the interesting fact that the long-expected run ning match of 400 yards, between Mr. A.' King and Mr. Basstian, is fixed for the 14th proximo. The match is, we understand, for £20 a side, the final deposit to be made this evening at the Albert hotel, Queen street. This expected event (henceforth to be chronicled in the pages of colonial history) is causing immense excitement in sporting circles, as Mr. King is known to be light of limb and as active as a deer, and has won i laurels in the old ;land. Mr. Basstian . also stands high among the runners of the age. It was this gentleman that, in a splendid match, de feated the ex-champion of Australia in the sun of a colonial summer. Both gentlemen are daily preparing for the contest by rigid abstinence,, regular hours, and equal diet, upon the principles [laid down in a dietary ,treatise entitled "What to eat, drink, and avoid." The place of meeting, and other arrangements will be settled this evening and duly made known to the public. A race was to have been sailed to-day be tween the yachts Daphne and Winona, but owing to the lightness of the wind it is post poned. It will probabably come off early next week.

The Rev. Dr. Wallis having in three ex haustive discourses treated of the history of the Sabbatic institution, its perpetuity, and the reasons for changing the day, will to morrow evening speak of "How the Lord's Day ought to be observed," which ends the Sabbath discussion. These sermons have thrown much light on the controversy which has occupied public attention during the past few weeks, and we have no doubt the discourse to-morrow pight wijl be interesting and instructive.

The members of the Auckland Institute will hold their annual meeting on Monday evening next in the Museum Buildings.

Sunday services will be held tonnortow at Newton Kirk, Rev. Dr. Wullis. Morning, "Watchman, What of the JSiglit?" Even ing, "How the Lord's Day Ought to be Observed." Lome-street Ii all, Samuel Eelger, B.A. Morning, " Christ and the World of Spirits ;" evening, " Christ and Man." Services at the usual hours, at Ed ward es street, Wellesley-street Baptist Church, Cook-street Christian Meeting-house, Sheri dan-street, Newton Hall, and United Methodists Free Church, Rev. G. H. Turner.

The members of the Naval Brigade, under Lieuts. Chapman and Bartlett, mustered in full force last evening in the Drill-shed, and were put through their rifle and cutlass exercise with adroitness.

The Good Samaritan Lodge 1.0. G.T. will, on Monday evening next, give a musical entertainment in the large hall of the Young Men's Christian Association, which will be open free to the members and friends of the order.

The Rev A. M. Tait, late [of Coromandel, will preach in the Presbyterian Church, Devonport, to-morrow forenoon and evening.

The s.s. McGregor arrived at San Fran cisco on the 25th ult.

The anniversary services in connection with the High-street Congregational Sunday school will be held in the chapel to-morrow, when appropriate sermons will be preached. Morning, by Rev. G. H. Turner ; evening, by Rev. T. S. Forsaith. On Tuesday next an entertainment of the usual character will be held in aid of the same cause.

We have received three letters in contra diction of Nautical's statement that the shipwrights intended to starve out one of their number for not joining the society in the late movement for higher wages. We have not space for all. Mr John K. Ramsay, chairman of shipwrights' meetings, writes :— "Sir, —I was rather surprised on reading a letter signed "Nautical" on the severity of the shipwrights towards two or three of their number. Had he been present at our meetings he would have known that his statements were a tissue of falsehoods and unworthy ot an answer fi'oui us, but he has evidently ac cepted the statement most suitable for his own purposes. I think that he would be better employed looking after the motley crew he has gathered at his establishment. After the meeting on Saturday (at which 1 hope to see your reporter) we will be able to A-indicate our cause among the shipping com munity.'" " A Shipwright " says : I was pre sent at the meeting, and whattookplacelwill now tell him. A man called Hampton, who has several cows, and comes to town every morning in a spring cart and horse, I believe his own property, to sell his milk. I believe this man said that the wool from his sheep next year will bring him £200. This same man agreed to stop work with the rest of the men, and said he did not know why the wages should be less here than elsewhere. Yet when the men stopped he worked on, and I firmly believe that had he stopped with the rest that the wages would have been settled without any barney, and for that the men have agreed not to work with him until he apologises to them for his con duct. I think you will say it would serve him right if they never worked with him again. Hampton won't starve. He his too well off for that, and no doubt will come on Saturday night and apologise for his conduct. This is how the matter stands.—A Ship wright.

On Monday next Messrs Samuel Cochrane and Son will offer for sale by public auction that pleasantly situated suburban property at Parnell, now occupied by Mr John Copland. Tl c property is being sold on account of the proprietor leaving this city for Tauranga.

The following notice was issued by the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday :— " Whaling vessels putting into the port of Auckland through stress of weather, for water or provisions, or to refit, are exempt from light dues, port charges and pilotage."

The yacht Pearl was successfully floated yesterday, and brought up to town in the afternoon. She is to be refitted at Mr Waymouth's building yard at Smaile's Point. Mr Bernard Waymouth's coat, watch, and chain were found on board the yacht, as well as several letters and photographs.

Messrs Holmes Brothers have partially succeeded in their attempts to raise the p.s. Challenger. The cutter Otahuhu has been lifted off her quarters, and the stern of the steamer has been hauled round into shallow water. Three huge beams have been placed in position over the submerged vessel, and now that the chief difficulties have been overcome we expect the operation of lifting her will be shortly completed.

Some of the larrikins of Panmure appear to derive great sport by annoying a lame old frnit seller named George Taylor. They took the wheel off his cart lately and placed it on a chimney abeut a mile away. In con sequence of an advertisement offering a re ward this was brought back. It is just as well to give these practical jokers warning that the police have been communicated with, and any future pranks may end very seriously for those who take such a cowardly advan tage of an old cripple.

TJr .Rosenthal has received the following certificate : ' —Dear Sir,— I have just received, this day, informa tion through Mrs J. Gorrie that my Daughter, who has been under your treatment for Deafness, &c, &c , is now perfectly cured. What you have done has quite exceeded our expectations, for which we beg respectfully to-return1 our extreme thankfulness to you, and hope you may be the means of relieving many, others .suffering from the same disease. You may put this in a different form, and make What use you like of it, for the good of others. I remain, Dear Sir, yours very truly, FRANdS "WOOD.- Flour Mills, Whangarei, Auckland, New Zealand, Feb. 9, 1874.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(((Before Thomas.Beckham, Esq., R.M.) DRUNKENNESS.

William Power,- who had been a total abstainer for eighteen months, but broke but in consequence of losses in the late gale, expressed much regret at taking too much grog, and upon promising to reform was discharged with a caution. VAGRANCY. John Shiers, an old offender, charged with vagrancy and drunkenness, was sentenced to six months' hard labour. A SAD SPECTACLE. William Knox, whose face was full of scratches and cuts, and whose forehead was swollen and black with bruises, was charged with being in a state of drunkenness and with assaulting his employer, Mr. John Brown, of Nelson-street, in the course of yesterday. . Prisoner said he was drunk, but remem bered nothing more, Mr John Brown deposed to the nature of the offence. Knox was ordered to pay 20s and costs for being drunk, or forty-eight hours, and 40s or fourteen ;days for assaulting his employer. A SULLEN SAILOR. William Holmes was charged with desert ing from the barque Lauderdale on the 4th February. rrisonej. pleaded guilty, but said sullenly

that he would rather do a level month than go back to the barque. The Court sentenced him to three months' imprisonment with hard labour. TRANSFER OP LICENSE. On the application of Mr Hesketh the transfer of the license of the Edinburgh Castle from Andrew Pollock to John Clark was granted. This was all the business.

TERRIBLE COLLISION AT SEA—TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN LIVES LOST.

[FROM LATE ENGLISH PAPERS PER TARTAR AT MEtBOtTRNfe.] News has been received of one of the most terrible catastrophes which have happened at sea during late years, paralleled only by the wreck of the ill-fated Northfleet in the early part of the present year. At 2 o'clock on the morning of the 22nd .November the French steamer Ville dv Havre, when off the Azores, bound from New York for Havre, with mails and passengers, came into colli sion with the sailing ship Loch Earn, of Glasgow, and was sunk in the brief period of twelve minutes, with nearly the whole of her crew and passengers, numbering 313 souls. The Ville dv Havre left New York with eighty - nine first-class passengers, 19 second-class, 27 third-class, and G stowaways, making a total of 141, besides the crew, which numbered 172 all told. Many of the cabin passengers were gentlemen with their wives and families, who were leaving America to spend the win ter in France—some for ' pleasures, and others for the benefit of their health. Among the survivors are children who have lost their parents, and parents who have lost their children ; others their sisters and brothers. From the time of the vessel sail ing from New York a thick fog prevailed, which necessitated the most careful atten tion on the part of the captain and officers. On the night of Thursday, the 20th Novem ber, the fog began to clear away, and on Friday a breeze sprang up, which raised a somewhat heavy swell. Friday night was a bright starlight night, and passengers and crew, relieved to some extent from the danger which surrounded them during the fog, retired to rest with hopes of a pleasant voyage to France. The captain, who had scarcely quitted the deck since the vessel left New York, went to his cabin about 12 o'clock, leaving the second officer in charge. The passengers were all in bed, and everything seemed going on well. About 2 o'clock on Saturday, the 22nd, all were startled from their slumbers by a dread ful crash, which seemed to shake every part of the vessel. Men, women, and children rushed on deck in their nightdresses, to see the bows of a larg*. vessel projecting over the deck of the Ville dv Havre, and to hear the rushing of the water into their own ill-fated vessel. The Loch Earn, a large vessel be longing to Glasgow, bound from Liverpool to New York, had struck them on the starboard tide, just about midships, cutting a hole in her deck twelve feet deep, and bieakingin the iron plates of the steamer for 25 feet or 30 feet. The vessel was then in latitude 47 21, longitude 35*31, with rather a heavy sea and little wind. The terror which prevailed among the passengers paralysed their efforts to Puve themselves, Many threw themselves on their knees in prayer ; many giving them selves up to despair on hearing the water rushing iii'o tlie vessel, and feeling that sho was rapidly sinking, never quitted their state rooms, fathers, mothers, and children going down together. At this moment there was no outcry, but all seemed to meet calmly the death that was soon to overtake them. From the force of the collision the mainmast and mizzenmast fell, smashing in their fall the two large boats of the steamer, and killing numbers of passengers ; and from the rapidity with which the vessel went down the crew were only able to launch the whaleboat and the Captain's gig. In twelve minutes from the times of the collision the Ville dv Havre had sunk, carrying with her the crew and passengers, with the exception of the second lieutenant, who had succeeded in launching the whaleboat, which was under his care, and several of the crew who had got into the Captain's gig. The Loch Earn, after getting clear of the Ville due Havre, kept on her course for a mile, and then hove-to and launched four other boats to pick up the passengers and crew, who were floating about on the sea, some on pieces of plank, and on lifebuoys, others on casks, or anything that would serve to keep them afloat. So sudden was the catastrophe that not a single person was saved from the wreck. Those who were on deck when she sank were afterwards floated, and were picked up, but a large number sank to rise no more. One lady, who was saved, had lost her husband and four children, three young ladies had lost their parents, and one young man had lost father, mother, and sister. One gentle man going with his sister to France for the benefit of her health found that she was among those who had gone down in the ves sel. The scene on the deck of the Loch Earn was most distressing. Those who were saved had lost their all. The ladies and gentlemen who escaped had only time to rush on deck in their nightdresses, and all owe their safety to some accidental cir cumstance of their being able to reach some thing floating when they rose to the surface. j Their sufferings during the time they were in the water were intense, the cold render ing them almost lifeless. When taken off the pieces of plank into the boats but little life remained, and they must soon have fallen into the water from cold and exhaustion. On examining the bows of the Loch Earn it was found she was much damaged, and when au American ship, which was afterwards discovered to be the Tremontain, hove in sight, signals were made to her, and she hove to. It was found she was bound for Bristol from New York, and after a second survey of the Loch Earn it was deemed advisable to transfer the survivors, eighty-seven in number, to the Tremontain. They were received on board by Captain Urquhart, and every attention was paid to them. The Tremontain came to anchor on the 30th of November, in the Cardiff Roads, and sent the survivors on shore, where they were received at several of the hotels in the town. Among the eighty-seven persons saved there are twenty-three first-class passen gers —ten ladies and thirteen gentlemen ; of the second-class passengers only one lady is saved, and of the third-class three are saved, all men ; of the crew fifty-four, and six offi cers ; making a total of only 87 out of 343, sixty of whom were ladies and children. It is understood that the London Marine Insurance Companies will be very heavy losers by the loss of the Ville dv Havre. The aggregate of the insurances effected on the hull of the steamer represents an amount of between £80,000 and £90,000. There have, of course, been numerous and heavy insurances on the cargo and passengers; but no approximate estimate of the amount can be obtained. The French Insurance Associations have suffered to a limited extent only, because all the principal marine underwriting business is done in London and Liverpool where far better terms can be secured. It is rather too early to speak with certainty on the subject; but already it has been asserted that pro ceedings will be instituted in the English Admiralty Court, when the whole of the circumstances attending tjte dj§agfcer will come out,

MR. MORIARTY'S REPORT ON THE GRAVING DOCK.

The following report was presented £tt the Harbor Board to-day : —

Auckland, February 11, 1874. To the Chairman of the Auckland Harbor Board.

Sir,—l have the honor to state for your information, and that of the other members of the Auckland Harbour Board, that the plans for the proposed graving dock are now in so forward a state as to enable me to sub mit them for your approval. On my arrival here I found that designs had been in course of preparation for a small dock, to have twelve feet of water on sill, and be capable of receiving vessels of medium class ; but as it appeared to me that a dock of such dimensions would barely meet the present requirments, and must fall very far short of those of the future, I did myself the honor to addi-ess you & memorandum re commending a iarger dock, which woilld be capable of taking in any of the vessels now engaged in the ocean mail services of this colony, as well as men-of-war of any but the largest class. Your Board having been pleased to approve of my recommendation, I lost no time in pro ceeding with the designs for the larger work, which I now lay before you. Its principal dimensions are as follows :—Length on floor of dock proper, 345 feet; do from head of dock to outer caisson groove, 376 feet 0 inches ; length on coping from head to outer caisson groove, 408 feet G inches ; with of entrance ab coping, 55 feet ; width between copings inside, 80 feet; depth of water on sill, ordinary springs, 19 feet; depth to in vert on floor of dock, 20 feet.

With the caisson placed in the outer groove this dock would be capable of receiving a vessel of 372 ft. G in. length of keel, and 400 feet over all.

I am of opinion that these dimensions, which are about the same as some of the best proportioned modern docks, will be found to be amply sufficient for every require ment of the port.

The coping is shown to be five feet above the highwater mark—spring tides, —which would bring it level with the deck of Queen street jetty. This may, perhaps, at first sight seem to be an unnecessary height, but, as I am informed by the harbour master, Captain Burgess, that there is evidence of the occurrence of tides of unusual height, one of which is marked on the sections, 1 have thought it safer to keep the walls up to what may seem to be somewhat in excess rather than run the risk of accident to a ship in dock by leaving them too low. I propose that the whole of the materials and workmanship in the dock shall be of the very best of their respective kinds. The masonry of the side walls, altars, and invert of the body of the dock, as well a3 of the pier heads and sills, to be of the best blue stone procurable from the quarries in the neigh bourhood, set in Portland cement mortar, and backed up with Portland cement con crete and rubble masonry. In the return walls of the pier heads, and wherever else it was practicable. I have shown that the cheaper kinds of material, and class of work manship may be used, in order to bring the cost of the structure down to the lowest figures compatible with thorough efficiency and safety.

The dock should be drained by two of GWynne's or Appold's centrefugal pumps, driven by a pair of twelve horse power, nominal, high pressure engines with Cornish boilers of the ordinary type. I would place the engines and boilers on the east side of the dock, at a distance of about 30 feet back from the coping. The usual provision is made by means of valves and sluices for fill ing and emptying it.

As there is a considerable rise of tide here, eight to twelve feet, it will probably be found in practice that very little pumping will be required to be done by steam. Except, perhaps,|on occasions of great emergency, not likely often to occur, it will be found suffi ciently expeditious to allow the water to drain off with the receding tide, shutting down the inlet valves, and starting the pumps only when the tide commences to rise.

For a dock of the size here proposed I would recommend a caisson in preference to gntes, as being stronger and more easily worked—admitting of a cheaper form of pier head and possessing the additional advantage of affording greater length for docking when placed in the outer groove ; in this instance it would give an increased length of 25 feet in the dock.

The caisson may be constructed either of wood or iron. Apart from considerations of expense I would prefer the latter, but seeing the abundance and cheapness of the former material in this port I think, under the circumstances, that perhaps you should have your caisson constructed of wood which, if well sheathed, will probably last for 25 or 30 years. On this point, however, I shall be able to speak with more confidence after having prepared the necessary sketch plans, to admit of an estimate of the probable cost being formed. lam not in a position to do so now. But as there is no immediate neces sity for finally deciding the matter at present, the caisson being about the last thing that will be required, we may leave the question of the material of which.it is to be construc ted for future consideration.

On the eastern side of the dock entrance, and extending thence to the frontage of the proposed line of reclamation, a distance of about 270 feet, I would propose to construct a timber wharf of the kind shown on the accompamng drawing No. S, and which will be more particularly described hereafter. This wharf would assist materially in cruid mg vessels into dock. °

On the western side of the entrance there should be a short jetty for a similar pur pose, as well as to afford a camber for the reception of the caissons when not in place Drawing No 1 is a general plan showing the works which have already been carried out, as well as the general design, which I would recommend for future extensions and improvements.

2. Is a plan showing the position of the proposed dock in reference to the contem plated reclamation on the west side of the Queen-street jetty. [ 3. Is a ground plan and longitudinal sec tion of the dock.

4. Is a cross section of the dock proper, and entrance, showing the caisson groove. 5. A front elevation of the entrance, showing the wing walls and cross section of the pump, well, and culverts.

, G. Cross section near head of dock, with section and part plan of the head. 7. A diagram showing sections and bor ings taken on site of proposed dock. 8. A general plan, section, and elevation of the jetty on the western side of the en trance.

9. A cross section of the timber work of the proposed wharf, on the eastern side of the dock entrance and along the fronl of the reclaimed land.

10. Design for a coffer dam to enclose the entire area of the dock site, for the purpose of excluding the water during the progress of the works.

The foundations of the dock would belaid on the sh.le or indurated clay which under lies the mud at this part, at an average depth of about ten feet; this shale, though soft and easily excavated, gives every indication of being free from water, wi\U itself water.

tight, a trial shaft has been put down through it to a depth of 3 or 4 feet below the foundation of the dock, which indicates that the same character of material, visible above high water on the shore, continues to that depth, and is quite free from water. I have no fear therefore that there will be any ttotible from leakage during the progress of the works, if the cofferdam be properly construc ted : There seems to be no probability of it from below at all events. I would recommend that this trial shaft be always kept in readi ness to be pumped out for the satisfaction of intending contractors who 'may desire to inspect the bottom, as in works of this character the amount of pumping likely to be required becomes a very important ques* tion for consideration with a contractor when framing his tender, and he is very likely, if there be any uncertainty about it, to put on such a price as will cover all risks. If the coffer dam be moderately tight there Will be no leakage Which the engine pumps cannot easily keep under, and I would for this purpose propose, at an early stage, to erect the perinahfeiit pumps and engines. I had given very careful consideration to the question of the most suitable site lot the dock, and had examined the whole of the foreshore on the Auckland side of the harbour in order to see if there might not be any better site than that which, before my arrival, had apparently been determined on by the Board. Since the date of my former memorandum, finding that there was still considerable diversity of opinion on the subject, and that many were in favour of placing .the dock near the end of what is termed the Breakwater, I have again care fully examined both positions, not with any foregone conclusion, but with the desire only of having the clock placed in the most suitable position, and the result of the most patient and careful consideration which 1 have been enabled to give to the matter has been to convince me that the site selected is on every ground the best. If any confirmation had been required of the unsuitableness of the Breakwater site for a dock it would have been offered, by the recent gale. But such evidence was not necessary to convince any person acquainted with such matters, or who had any practical experience in the docking and undocking of vessels, that so exposed a position was most unfit for a graving dock. The site selected is well sheltered from the wind, which, as I am informed, blows with greatest force, has the longest fetch, and brings the heaviest sea into the harbour. It would be in still water during Hood tide, and as vessels are always docked or undocked on the flood they would be protected from all currents by the reclaimed land and wharf, which on this side projects some 270 feet, or the length of a long ship, beyond the entrance of the dock. The character of the ground where it is proposed to build the dock is very favourable, the shale being quite solid enough to afford a good foundation, and as I have said free from fissures or water-bearing veins, while it is soft and easily excavated. It presents many very favourable features for the construction of the coffer dam. Much of the mud which overlies the shale may be cheaply removed by dredging, if thought advisable, before the coffer dam is closed in.

I have examined some sites which were pointed out to me on the North Shore, but saw nothing which, for convenience and shelter from winds and currents, could compare with that last described. It will be necessary to enclose the whole of the site of the dock works during their progress with a coffer dam, and 1 have given a plan of a cheap and efficient dam, of a kind which I have used with good effect at the harbour works of Woolongong and Kiama, both very exposed positions. I would not, however, recommend compelling the con tractors to adopt this or any other special form of a dam, but would leave it to their own judgment to select that which they might consider best ; holding them of course in either case responsible for its stability as long as might be required.

From the entrance of the dock to deep water it will be necessary to dredge a chan nel through the mud ; this will be a work of no difficulty, and should not occupy more than twelve months with a dredge of even small power, but if kept going night and day with doubt shifts of men, as is customary, this work may be completed in _ little more than half the time.

The material dredged out of the channel would be used in making the reclamations contemplated between the dock site and the present jetty at foot of Queen-street, for which it will be found cheaper than any other description of filling.

Flans, specifications, and estimates for a stream dredge and punts I will prepare and transmit to you from Sydney on my return there. lam informed that there will be no difficulty in having both the hull and machinery of the former constructed here. RECLAMATION. Owing to the abrupt and somewhat preci pitous conformation of the land. on the shoresr of the harbour of Mechanics' Bay to Freemans' Bay, there is but a very limited j extent of level ground suitable for stores and warehouse sites. The inconvenience and cost of carting goods up and down the steep hills would always be a hinderance to the business of. the port were the warehouses placed upon the high ground. I will be necessary, therefore, to make provision for suitable sites which shall afford convenient access to the wharves, the railway, and the business portions of the town by reclaiming a sufficient area from the waters of the har bour. The long, flat, and shallow foreshore offers peculiar facilities in this respect. \ From the eastern side of Mechanics' Bay, past Commercial Bay to Acheron Point on the western extremity of Freemans' Bay, the foreshore dries for a considerable extent when the tide is out, exposing a large area of mud flat, which must to a greater or less ex tent be covered with a festering mass of sewage matter, giving off, when the tide leaves it, the most pestilential and offensive exhalations. To cover a portion of this over by reclamation, aud dredge away the re mainder, is an operation as necessary fo_ the public health, as it is desirable for the other object to which I have referred.

J As resrards the effects of such reclamation in diminishing the water space of the har bour, available for shipping, it will be observed that owing to its shallowness the water space proposed to be reclaimed is at present useless for such purposes, while the great width of the harbour, at this part, would still leave ample room for mooring a fleet in deep water. lam of opinion, there fore, that the proposed reclamation may be, and indeed should be, proceeded with with out delay as likely to be ou every ground a public benefit. As regards the modus operandi I would suggest that the work be carried out as follows :—First proceed to deposit round the area to be reclaimed, which is shown on the accompanying draw ing No. 2, a dyke of rough ballast stone, rising to about half tide mark, leaving open ings at convenient intervals to allow of the mud punts from the dredge being brought inside and discharged, which would be done in lowering the hopper doors and allowing the mud to drop out—in this way a cons? derable amount of reclamation would be done at the mere cost of the dredging But by and-bye, when the filling had gone on, and the punts could no longer float in, the remainder of the material dredged up would require to W landed and barrowQd back by manual

labour. It will then become mi ~~V raise the ballast dyke to high •wail to the level of the proposed r*cCX?5 fill up the openings which had beenta- f for the passage of the punts. ln « A s theie will be a considerable am material available for filling from Br*?^ °* I point, as well as from the high pointsnf?an in the neighbourhood of the dock T." recommend that the cutting doy'n'of 1!? 1^ points, to such extent as may be dete ■ c on, be included in the contract for ft"" 1^ ' struction of the dock, as both operate v"1' better be proceeded with simultaneJ! 7 but all payments to the cdntraetor on ac ' of the former should be on ftieasureme^ 1"1' the excavation. It would notbesatisfatf ° ' or indeed practicable to measure the oafo^ aftei' having been deposited in the fiTT^ Tlie material should be deposited in the h instance along the outer margin of the s '^ to be reclaimed, so as to form a roadway^. 100 or 150 feet wide along the rear of th proposed wharf, and thus utilise the Wv at as early a date as possible ; the "widen out of the roadway, and the remainder of ft** filling, to be proceeded -with by dredsi 1 cutting down the bills, depositing town nf" bish, and material excavated from found tions of buildings, &o. **

The reclaimed area should be faced on it northern and north-western sides by aml stantial timber wharf, the piles for which' already coppered, should be driven in pl a J 1 before the ballast stone dyke to which I 1 have referred has been depositee?, as as. | attempts to drive the piles through the ■ stones would lead to the copper being cat \i and stripped by their sharp angles, expos!m» I the piles to the attacks of the "teredo" 3 1 '' limnoria. " Plans for this -wharf ate I shown on drawing No. 9.

After the dyke shall have been deposited I for a year or two, and the stone shall have 1 become thoroughly packed down and con- I solidated by waves and tides, the facing I should be hand-packed or set in the form J I a rough pitching. 1 have constructed all the 1 wharfs at Newcastle, New South Wales "a I this manner ; it is a cheap and simple de-' . scription of work, and has been found to ! answer well.

The time will probably be thought to Eve arrived when it becomes necessary to con. aider about providing increased wharf ac commodation, and it seems to me that it can be most conveniently and economically done by running out a jetty in continuation of the breakwater, and finishing with a T head at the outer end. , ; y The disastrous effects of the late galehare shown that protection is required from lie north-east winds, which drive in a consider able sea, causing much damage to vessels lying at the jetties or at anchor in *Cjp mercial Bay. I would propose, therefore, that the jetty be so constructed as to answer the twofold purpose of breakwater and wharf. The details of construction'W shown on drawing No. 1, and will lie de-' scribed at sufficient length hereafter. A.:■

A wharf at this point would have,the advantage of being in immediate communi cation with, and in close proximity to, the railway station, and would probably on that account become a favourite berth forthe shipping ; and the extension of the railway to the base of the Queen-street jetty wonli bring the whole of the business portios'of the town into easy communication with all the wharfs.

! While seeking on the one hand to afford | protection to vessels lying at the jetfeM to the small craft anchoring in Co__ij__tttl Bay, it is necessary on the other not to over look the question of the sewerage of the city, which must continue, as at present, to discharge into it. I would, thereiorej pro pose to leave an interval or break of some 200 feet in length in the solid portion, of.tlis work from the end of the present breakwater outwards, this portion of the jetty to consist of open piling only. The opening—while allowing a reef passage fer the flood and ' ebb tides along the entire frontage of ; the j town, thereby changing the water every j tide and sweeping away all offensive matter., tending likewise to keep down any nndiie j deposit of solid sewerage at the outfall of the sewers — would not be of sufficient extent to admit any wave which could i injure the small craft. I would limit the 'j opening to about 200 feet, beyond which j the breakwater portion should commence;'''! and be continued to the outer T end. The jetty and breakwater should be about j 670 feet in length measured from the outer f end of the present breakwater so as to over- \ lap the Queen-street jetty and allow vessels, J to round to with an easy sweep to the into | berths. It should be not less than 43 feet J in width, so as to admit of four lines of rail I being laid down, as at least that number I will be required for sidings, for shunting coal 1 wagons, if, as I understand is not unlikely; E coals will be brought for shipment by rail. | For the first 200 feet there should be, 831 | have mentioned, a tidal opening, beyond | which the breakwater portion should com- | mence; at about 50 feet beyond this the first I branch jetty might be thrown out. at right '?. angles to the main one, affording two; berths | for the smaller class of vessels. The depth | to the rock obtainable by dredgins* is 16 feet | About 150 feet further out another, jetty ,g parallel with that last mentioned, might ha | thrown out, giving two other berths "with W J feet water to the rock ; and at 150 feet for- | ther out still would come the Theadofthe 7 main jetty, with four or six berths (as iMJ | be found necessary) for the largest class« ;; vessels. The superstructure of the main and bra*"'* | jetties might be of the ordinary timber of j the country, the piles being sheathed wp | copper or good metal. I would here poi**' y, out that as there is a very great difference W'| the quality of sheathing metals--some beuif. g nearly equal to copper in lasting, while o^, | kinds are scarcely worth putting .&H'1 g might be worthy of consideration whether ; the Board would not do well to import any , metal likely to be required for tbeir. worn t through some agent at home of known * perience ; and as the durability of the whan >_, depends in a great degree on the length" V time the sheathing will last I would sugP, .7 that nothing lighter than 220z. or 24qz. w . used. - • . The breakwater beneath the wharf. WJ . be constructed in the following manner:-" Commencing as I have said at 200 feet , fIJ | the end of the present breakwater. &j |i the piles for the wharf had been drive*^. would commence to deoosit a dyke of r°nj rubble stone, brought either in bargesl or j railway, the stones to be in as large bio^ as could be conveniently handled, averages say from half a ton to a ton in weight; . all the produce of the quarries '^Sf; s! taken. The dyke should be formed to uniform a cross section as possible, ahou • feet wide on the top, which would be 1 7 with low-water mark of springs, sloP° gLj! on the outer side at 2 to 1, and.at the""1 side at 1 to 1. w After the dyke had stood for one or years, so as to become thoroughly 'r^A dated by the action of the tides and w it should be levelled off on the top, a >h of concrete two feet in thickness laid tip and upon the concrete a roughruiX** .j 8 or 10 feet thick at the base, and *bo?;.wli feefcatthetop,whichshouldbe.leyel.Wiw y watermark. It should be built mo^ or hydraulic lime mortar. A W°r kind would not take one sixth of *. tity of material required for a 'y'™'^^ like the present pne, a*id ■ffoula' w "J

fffijE WlfflffG JDfAlt, SaTOEIDAY, PEBRtTAUY U 18V4.



T COSGRAVE &, CO. HAVE JUST RECEIVED PER SUEZ MAIL : 1 case Self-coloured Gros Grains 1 „ Black 1 „ Best Paris Kid Gloves 1 „ Best Assorted' Colors. "ff A T S! H A T .81 SUM MfE R HATS AT REDUCED PRIC ES. y •i__ m _S_A_ ■ IN ORDER TO3 EFFECT A CLEARANCE RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN have];decided to Sell the Balance of their Summer Stock Children's and Ladies* Straw Hats at T ) f) COST PRICE. ;., : .. A Great Variety to select from. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN (LATE R HOBBS), *Wholv.sai_e and Reta.it, Drapers, Clothiers. &a IE JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) Upper Queen-street, Auckland. E B A i. : A v: ' ':■: ._. 8 SAM UJE L?H|C,:O OMBES' ADVERTISEMENT sth Column, Front Pagjs. <



[Established 1864.] r\ STEPHENSON & CO.'S COFFEES, "EXHIBITION BRAND" "EAGLE BRAND" "CROWN BRAN D," Are to be procured at aU respectable GROcers and Storekeepers throughout the Province of Auck and, D. STEPHENSON & CO. WYNDHAM STREET AtrCKLAyp ri A U T [ ON. OLSON'S TOMATO SAUCE. Connoisseurs pronounce this Sauce to be the BEST for general Use in households, and, in con sequence of its high reputation, somo unprincipled persohs have been induced to Collect Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's name stamped thereon, and pass the same off as "Olson's Universal Tomato Sauce." The proprietor has in consequence caused his TRADE MARK to be Registered under the provisions of the "Trade Marks Act, 1866," and proceedings will be taken against such persons as may forge or counterfeit such mark. The public are cautioned to ASK FOR OLSON'S SAUCE, and see that the name is Stamped on Bottle and stopper, and wrapped round with his well-known abel.