MANUKAU BAR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 10 February 1938, Page 3

MANUKAU BAR

CHANGE TAKING PLACE IN MAIN CHANNEL [By Telegraph—Press Association] AUCKLAND. 9th February. Recent visual observations from the signal station on 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 j 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 1 very consistent for a number of years, and the only change in recent times was a movement of about half a mile to the northward in 1936. Following the observations from the signal station, the Auckland harbourmaster. Captain Sergeant, visited the Manukau Heads to-day and inspected the area with a signalman. As a result of the movement in the channel, the Auckland Harbour Board is advising masters of vessels when entering or leaving Manukau Harbour to exercise cars when negotiating the bar and to follow any semaphore directions given by the signalman from the South Head flagstaff. Captain Sergeant stated to-night 1 that further observations would be ; made definitely to ascertain what change has taken place in the channel. I Until then vessels would be directed over the bar from the signal station. The leading beacons will be altered w hen observations are completed. No reason can be given for the northward movements of the millions of tons of .sand on the bar.