COASTAL SURVEY OF N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25276, 30 August 1947, Page 2

COASTAL SURVEY OF N.Z.

POSSIBLE TASK FOR NAVY It was realised by the department that the survey of the New Zealand coastline should be recommenced as soon as possible, to restore confidence in mariners when navigating those portions of the coast covered by charts from surveys made by H.M.S. Acheron and H.M.S. Pandora between the years 1848 and 1855, says the annual report of the Marine Department. The differences in the positions of the coastline and hydrographical features of these charts from those of the New Zealand Government survey, and the absence of any detailed soundings in some 'areas, were liable to cause a lack of confidence in navigators using the earlier charts, said the report. In .1901 H.M.S. Penguin commenced a survey of the coast at Poverty Bay, and reached Mercury Bay in 1905, when the survey ceased, and no further survey of the area was undertaken until 1937, when H.M.S. Endeavour began at Mercury Bay and carried on as far north as the Bay of Islands. At this point the survey was discontinued shortly after the outbreak of war in 1939. When hostilities ceased, said the report, the Admiralty was approached by the direction of the Government on the question of resuming the surbut as the existing naval survey ships were likely to be engaged on work of greater importance, no prospect could be seen of resuming the survey in the near future. The Admiralty, however, had offered the fullest co-operation, and had suggested that the Royal New Zealand Navy undertake the work, „ a suggestion which was being investigated by the New Zealand Naval Board, the Marine Department, and other authorities, concerning the practicability and the yearly cost of such a scheme.