ONERAHI.

Northern Advocate, 9 February 1920, Page 2

ONERAHI.

Captain Campbell, marine surveyor, who is making an up-to-date and official survey of the harbour on behalf of the Harbour Board,.has been engaged for the last few days in the lower channel near One Tree Point. Operations to the present have been practically coniined to necessary preliminary work— the fixing and correcting of trigs ashore, so as to enable the exact position to be computed whilst afloat. It is only after this has been done that the survey work proper can be got thoroughly into its stride. From tentative soundings taken in the vicinity of the Point. Captaia Campbell reports the depths obtained as eminently satisfactory, together with an ample channel width. He is of opinion that, when the contemplated works are complete, Whangarei harbour will rank as one, of the best in New Zealand.

The Government s.s. "Tutaaekai" came up harbour on Friday and berthed at the coal cranes. Her presence, when it was known she was carrying troops to Fiji, caused quite a little flutter of excitement, and the vessel became a point of attraction to many sightseers. The six-pounder quick-firers, mounted at bow and stern, aad the stalwart khakiclad forms of the Permanent Force on her decks brought home to one, at once, the seriousness of her mission. Though it is not contemplated that offensive operations will be accessary, the consensus of opinion is that, should occasion arise, the ship and her compleDiment are likely to give a very good account of themselves. She got away with full bunkers, during the afternoon. The old Manaia on Tuesday was certainly a festive boat. She carried among her passengers three bridal parties, bound south for honeymoons. The knots had been tied in Whangarei and streets and station platform bore liberal evidence of rice offerings for luck and plenty. Nevertheless there were ardent souls aboard the train, armed with further bags, determined to take a last cock-shy at their newly-wed friends. As tke boat drew out a perfect hail of rice and confetti rattled on her plates and deck. The aim in most instances was eiratic.