COASTLINE-SURVEY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17206, 28 June 1916, Page 10

COASTLINE-SURVEY.

CHARTS OUT OF DATE

THE DANGER. TO SHIPPING.

PROPOSED APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT.

Tho striking of a submerged object off Waipapa Point by the coastal steamer Opouri'and the subsequent exoneration from blame of the master and officers has again raised the question as to whether the Government should not take steps to have the coastline of New Zealand resurveyed. Admiralty charts- show that it is about sixty years since a rough survey was made by H.M.S. Acheron along the coast, including the part from Cape Campbell to Hanks Peninsula. Even then, owing no doubt to tho magnitude of the operations, it was impossible for the officers of tho surveying ship to complete their work thoroughly. “I think,” said a master mariner to a “Lyttelton Times” reporter at Lyttelton yesterday, “ that it is nearly time the Marine Department woke up to the fact that it has failed to keep pace with the ever increasing demands of shipping in the coastal trade of New Zealand. Some ten years ago the Government, in conjunction with the Admiralty, arrangtxl for H.M.S. Penguin to survey ruauy portions of the east coast of the North Island, and tho work she accomplished was well done and has proved most valuable. Unfortunately, there were sorno people who thought the work was costly and a hitch occurred, with the result that the ship left our shores, and it was then proposed to formulate a scheme lor the continuance of the work. Since then the only survey work of any importance was cairied out a few years ago off tho Three Kings, Admiralty Day and Pegasus Bay by the late Lieu tenants Pennell and Rennick, of Captain Scott’s Antarctic ship Terra Nova. The data obtained by these two experienced officers was most important, and it seems a pity that there lias not been further efforts on behalf of the Government to obtain additional surveys. “Anyone who gives a little study to a chart of the "coastline from Capo Campbell to Banks Peninsula,” continued tho critic, “ will not fail to observe the limited number of soundings plotted. This coast outside of Cook Strait is one of the most popularly used in New Zealand, and the dangers confronting navigation tore many. For instance, vessels drawing about eighteen feet generally keep about three miles off Cape Campbell, which, steering a course south by west a quarter west, magnetic, .gives them practically a straight run to Lyttelton. From Cape Campbell to Flaxbourne there are a fairly good number of soundings plotted but when one gets a little further down the coast they are conspicuous by their absence. A vessel of the type I have mentioned would generally clear Waipapa Point bv about two miles and a half, but it is always understood, that smaller craft go much closer inshore. “It is, of course, all very well for the Government to' say that uncharted waters should be navigated with suspicion, but surely it is the Government’s duty to do its utmost to remove that suspicion. Look, for instance, off Aniuri Bluff. There are only a few soundings plotted and I think if the data was available one would find that the best part of the information was furnished by fishermen and ethers who frequent those waters. It is only a few years ago since the Cheviot shoal wa« located by Mr C. Bushett, a well-known Lyttelton fisherman. There are many other spots on the coast between Greymouth and Lyttelton that could receive attention. Off Blowhole Point, between Capo Farewell and Kahurangi, there is supposed to be an uncharted rock. It is right on the course of small vessels hugging the coast in a strong southerly, and yet the chart says there are twent.v-ono fathoms of water. Tn November, 1914, breakers were reported between Archway Island and Hitch Point, but I don’t think any attempt has been made to rectify matters by sending a vessel out to make a survey. “Take again Farewell Spit,” he said. “ It is well known to sailors that this sandpit is ‘ making,’

and only . jqcenily-.the-.wreckage..of The Southern Isle was reported on a'spot where .•.there was.snpposerl.to be eighteen fathoms of water. Other dangers could be mentioned, including one lying' On tho track of vessels from Patea to Wanganui. The position is simply ridiculous, and the sooner the Government spend a few thousand pounds in resurveying the coast of New Zealand the better it will bo for all concerned.” AMOKURA COULD BE USED.

“At certain periods of the year,” said another interested man, “ the Government commissioned tho Amokura to undertake certain work at the outlying islands of New Zealand. Now, I contend that, with such a vessel at its disposal, the Marine Department could often be engaged in survey work along our coast. Think of what 'fine training .it ..would be for the boys. The cost of the work would be low compared with the importance of the data obtainable. • Then, again, the Tutanekni is only in commission a few weeks during a year, and I think she could be more advantageously employed than is the case at present. The questions involved are so important that the Government should set about the work at once.”