MANUKAU BAR

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1938, Page 6

MANUKAU BAR

DANGER TO SHIPPING

CHANGING OF CHANNEL

(Per Press Association—Copyright*

AUCKLAND, February 9.

Recent visual" observations from the signal station at the south head at the ‘Manukau bar indicate that -a change is taking place in the main channel over-the bar and that a new channel is apparently forming from one-third to half a, mile to the north of the transit line of the existing main channel beacons. The channel over the bar has been very consistent for some years and the only change in recent times was a v movement of about half a mile to the northward in 1936.

After the observations from the signal station,, the Auckland Harbour Master (Captain Sergeant) visited the Manukau heads to-day and inspected the area with a signalman.

Because of the movement in the channel the Auckland Harbour Board is advising the masters of vessels when entering or. leaving Manukau harbour to exercise care when negotiating the bar and to follow any semaphore directions given • by the signalman from the south head flagstaff.

Captain Sergeant said to-night that further observations would be made to ascertain definitely what change has taken place in the channel. Until then vessels would be directed over the bar from ' the signal' station. The leiiding 'beacons will be altered when t’lib observations are completed. No definite reason can be given for the northward movement of the millions of tons of sand 'oh the bar.