NAVIGATION DIFFICULTIES

Evening Star, Issue 21721, 16 May 1934, Page 11

NAVIGATION DIFFICULTIES

INADEQUATE SURVEYS [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, May 15. The inadequate surveys m _ the vicinity of Cuvier Island were criticised as a menace to shipping at a meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board.. Mr E. H. Davis moved, a motion urging the Marine Department to have carried out without further delay the promised marine survey of that part of the coast line outside the Great Barrier end in the vicinity of Cuvier Island and lead-, ing to the channel between the Great Barrier Island and Cape Colville. “ This really is an important matter and affects the Auckland Harbour Board’s interests,” stated Mr Davis, “ Master mariners without exception complain bitterly that they have not sufficient data to go upon in making their landfall in this sparsely surveyed area. It is unfair to master mariners to be placed in such a position. In fact, the Court of Inquiry into the Wiltshire wreck drew the attention of the Government to the necessity of having this survey done. _ That was twelve years ago, and nothing has been done. -There is absolutely no reason why these survey soundings should not be made and this important approach to the coast made reasonably safe.” The harbour master (Captain H. H. Sergeant) said it was very necessary for safe navigation that there should be a survey. Every master who came to the port complained of the difficulty experienced off Cuvier Island in thick weather. The motion was carried.