TO TAKE SOUNDINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 40, 17 February 1931, Page 10

TO TAKE SOUNDINGS

THE MATAI'S WORK

EFFECT OF SHAKE ON SEA BED

In addition to her usual work of tending to the coast lights, the Government steamer Matai, which left Wellington at 8 p.m. yesterday for the north, will carry out a series of soundings in Hawko Bay to ascertain the effects, if any, of the earthquake on the sea bed.

After serving the lights on her way up the coast to Hawke Bay, the Matai will go from Cape Kidnappers to Portland Island, off the southern end of Mahia Peninsula, to land a wireless receiving and- transmitting set, and, en route, will carry out a series of soundings, working with her echo-sounding apparatus, her ordinary sounding machine, and, if necessary, her lead ali the way.

From Portland Island the Matai will steam direct to Napier harbour, taking soundings at frequent intervals. She will reach Napier ou Friday, and will embark U]fi harbourmaster, Captain H. White-Parsons, and Dr. Marshall, Government Geologist. The Matai is also carrying Captain J. Fraser, E.N., chief staff officer of the Navy Office, who ha« had considerable experience in marine survey work, Dr. M. Burnett, of the and Industrial Bcsoareh Department, who has already visited Napier, and Mr. Whiteman, of the staff of the Chief Telegraph Engineer.

After leaving Napier the Matai will continue her sounding operations in Hawko Bay. It is hoped that the investigations to be made by the Matai will bo of great value to the scientists in enabling them to come to some dofinite conclusions regarding the action of the earthquakes at sea.