SOUNDINGS MADE AT NAPIER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 21 February 1931, Page 6

SOUNDINGS MADE AT NAPIER

GENERAL LESSENING OF DEPTH (By Telegraph—Press Asssciation) WELLINGTON, 20th February. The Marine Department received a.report from the Government steamer Matai, which was sent to take soundings in the approaches to Napier Harbour, and investigate the altered depths. '’ 1 * The report states that the Matai on Wednesday took a line of soundings from the eastern limit of the Napier Harbour, the first sounding at the eastern limit of the chart being 66ft, and gradually reducing to 33ft. at a position half a mile from the front beacon. The depths along this line of soundings and of soundings taken from .the' lino half-way inshore to the entrance of the inner harbour showed a general lessening of depth from sto 7 feet. It is unfortunate that the echo sounding apparatus with which the vessel was equipped in England could not be made to function, otherwise the Matai would have been able to take rapidly other lines of soundings. The Maitai, with Dr. Marshall, Government Geologist, on board, went from Napier to Waikokopu, and is to proceed on her tour of the northern lighthouses. Captain Fraser, of the-Navy Office, Dr. Barnett, of the Scientific Research Department, and Mr Whiteman, of the laboratory staff of the Post and Telegraph Department, who went north on the Matai, returned to Wellington last evening.