HARBOURS OF AUCKLAND, MANUKAU AND THE THAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VI, Issue 1630, 11 February 1869, Page 4

HARBOURS OF AUCKLAND, MANUKAU AND THE THAMES.

BUOYS, LIGIiTS, BKACONS, &c. The subjoined correspondence respecting buoys, lights, beacons, &c., for the harbours of Auckland, Manukau, and the Frith of the Thames, I has been laid on the table of the Provincial Council, and which we publish for the information of the general public, and especially those engaged in the shipping trade. Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 30th Jan., 1869. Sj r) Captain Burgess, the Chief Port Master of this Province, has represented to me in a latter, of which a copy is herewith enclosed for your information, that the approval of the Colonial Marine Eng'ineer is necessary to certain lights iiud buoys which it is contemplated to erect for the safety of the shipping, between this port and Shortland. i The daily inctease in the shipping intercourse with the Thames, and the present dangers which exist to vessels in that trade which take tho Sandspit passage, particularly at night time, render it imperative that no time should be lost in carrying out the proposed works for the safety of lifo and property ; and 1 have therefore the honor to request that you will he good onough to exercise all promptitude in instsucting Captain Balfour to proceed to this port and enquire into tkese and other matters which require his attention, or otherwise to place the Chief Port Master in a position to proceed with tho necessary works without delay.—l have, &c., J. WILLUMSO.V, Superintendent. Tho Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Wellington.

Harbour Office, Auckland, January 26, 18S9. g IR) With reference to your Honor's instructions relative to tho building of a suitablo vessel for tho proposed light in tho Sandepit pissago, I would respectfully beg to call your Honor's attention to the reservation contair < d (vide JS'cw Zealand Gazette 1868, page 37) in the delegation of the Governor's powers under clause 7 of the Marine Act to the respective Superintendents of Provinces, such reservations virtually taking from the Superintendent the power to orect harbour marts, lights, buoys, and beacons, as thero is no certainty that the action of the local Government in these mattors will be approved of by the Colonial Kngineeer. I would, therefore, recommend that the General Government be advised that a light is urgently required in the Handspit passage, another at the Boan Roelcs, in tho Auckland harbour, and two or more ordinary harbour lights at the Port of Shortland. It might also be stated that there are many other matters coming under the operation of the Marine Act which are not clearly defined, and require further explanation, but this cannot be readily obtained in tho ordinury course of correspondence. Therefore it is very desirable that tho Colonial Marine Engineer (who is tho apparent head of the Marine Department) should visit Auckland at his «arließt convenience to enquire into and report upon the matters now referred to—l have, &c., (Signed) I. J. Buhgess, Chief Harbour Muster and Pilot. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland.

Refobt of Marine Bnginebh—Manukau Habboe, d. NDSFiT Light, &c. Auckland, February 8, 1869. (For the information of His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland,) Understanding that it is of moment that my report on Manuknu Harbour, &c., should bo in the hands of the Executive for consideration during the present Session of the Provincial Counoil, I shall give the result of my observations, &0., as shortly as possible for their information. Any more formal report which I may make to the Colonial Government will, no doubt, be duly forwarded for His Honor's consideration.

1. Mamukatt Haebotjr.—l have examined the Signal Station on the South Head, the loading beacona there, and on the North Head, and the old Pilot Establishment on the North Head. The boacons are all in good order, and either of those on the iSoutli Head can be adapted as a light-house, at a email cost. Tbe traversing ways of the lower beacon| on the South Head require to be lengthened a few feet, on account of the Tranmere Spit having lengthened. 'I'he Signalman's house is in a very uncomplete state, not being lined at all. It would require to be lined, and at least one room Bhould be added to it for the Pilot's use when he is at the Heads. A seoond smaller staff should be erected for signalling to vessels inside (and probably to Onehunga also), bo as to diminish the number of signals required on tho main staff, and so lessen the danger of mistake. The Pilot's house on the North Head is quite uninhabitable, and it would cost a very considerable sum to put it to rights ; moreover the pilot and crew should now have accommodation en the South Heads, so as to bo abb to communicate with the jignalman, and to assist hisn in any emergency. AH doors and windows in the old Pilot's house could be used again on the South side, as well as a part, at least, of the boarding, so that it would probably cost very little more to erect a sew house on tbe South Head, than it would to render the North Head dwelling habiiablo. Another strong argument in favour of the change to the South side is to be found in the fact that thero is a sheltered c:ve where boats could land or put off in almost any weather, whereas tbe sea rolls heavily in to the landing place on the North side. 'lhe buoys absolutely |require to be lifted, overhauled, and painted ; and another buoy is much wanted to define the pew chunnel; but I understand that one of the buoyß inside would answer for that purpose, and that a smaller buoy could be made to answer its present purpose well enough. The most costly operation by far is the buoy shifting, but it cannot be longer delayed, as there would be great danger of the buoys going down at their moorings unless speedily repaired, and cleared of muiaela and seaweeds. As for the rest of the work,

I believe that Captain Wing's proposal to employ a carpenter as one of his boat's orew would effect a great saving, and the following estimate is based on the supposition that this is done. It is certniu that such work could not be so oheaply done by contract, as the site is so distant and inaccessible. a. '1 he present salaries, I understand,are —Signalman, £100 ; chipf boatman, £84 ; two hands, at £72, £1.44. Total, £328. Proposed additional salaries:—To chief boatman (to make him same as others), £16; a carpenter, £100; fourth hand, at £o per month, £60. Total, £176.

b. Lining signalman's house, supplying water tank, fitting rain-gutters, adding one room, £50 ; extension of beacon ways, £30; signal mast for Hp harbour, £50 j boatman's house on South Head, £100; signal staff for ditto, £15 ; sundries, paint, nails, repairs to bout, &c., £24. lotal, £269. c. Hire of steamer for shifting buoys, about £550 cleaning, painting, and repairing 22 buoyß in harbour at £4, £S8 ; ditto outer buoys, £5J ; sundries, £25—£713. Total, £1158. The estimated cost of a steamer, £550, is founded on a offer made to supply the Halcyon at £16 per d iy, exclusive of coals, which might bring the average cost up to £17 or £18 per day, and this for thirty days, which Captain Wing thinks would be the least time tho work co-ild be done in, would amonnt to £510 to £510. Possibly better terms could be made for another vesse', but this offer of the Halcyon is the most favourable I have been able to get yet. It is very desirable that this work (of shifting the buoys) ahould be undertaken without delay, as, should it be i put off till the bad weather comes on, the time lost will greatly increase the cost. I believe it would be cheaper to employ a steamer, even for inside buoys, as by so doing much time would be saved.

2.—II&HTS BETWEEN AUCKLAND ANn SHORTLAND. Accompanied by Captain Burgesß, I have examined tho sandupit, and visited Shortland. I agree with the opiuion of the memorialists on the subject of lights, that the Bean Rocks, the Sandspifc, and Tararu Point are probably the be<t sites for lights for the local traffic between Auckland and Shortland. Unlortunately, no satisfactory Bite for a lighthouse can be got on Ponui Island, oonscquentlr recourse must be had either to a lightship or lighthouse on pileßOn the spit end. Either would answer, and there would bo no objection made to a lightship, at the same time a pile lighthouse would be more durable, more economical in maintenance, and would throw a more satisfactory steady light. should imagine the short high Bea which runs through the sandspit at times would make a lightship very unsteady and interfere with the visibility of the

light, possibly even endangering its occasional extinction. I understand that Captain Burgess estimates the cost of a lightship complete at £550 to £603. I believe that a light-house could be erected on cast iron piles (the superstructure being timber), fur about £800 j but this estimate is subject to revision after drawings have been prepared and the suitability of the spit for screw piles more definitely ascertained. I Bhonld propose that this lighthouse should be fitted with an apparatus the same as that in the Nelson light-house, but a temporary lamp could be fitted if th« tower was ready, tiefore such apparatus had arrived. A green light, as proposed by Captain Burgess, will answer well for Graham'atown pier, and a red light would be very suitable for

Tararu Point. Tho liifht on Tararu should be of Borne power, as it will be the land fall for vessels coming from the sandßpit passage, and as it, l" conjunction with the Qraham's Town light, will give a lead for the entrance to Kawneranga Greek, it will bo of great service to vessels quit- irrespective of the construction of any wharf at Tararu. There is a small apparutus and lantern now, I believe, on the way from England intended for erection on one of tho Manukau South Head Beacons. I understand that this is not of pressing importance, and I have no doubt that the Colonial Government would be willing to allow it to bo fitted at Tararu for a time and until another proper dioptric apparatus can be procured from home, should his Honor so desire it.

I have not yet had an opportunity of examining the Bean Rock, but 1 should imagine tbere would be no difficulty in firing cast-irn piles to it, to extend some distance above high wn.. . ~nd to be surrounded by a timber superstructure similar to that proposed for the sand spit. Such a light would form a splendid guide for the harbor, and if properly screened could be made to lead clear of all the principal dangers in both entrances. With the same proviso aa beforo, X think that a suitable structure would not cost more than to £1000 complete. For this lisht, also a dioptric light apparatus i-hould be procured from England, both as being more economical in maintenance and more brilliant, and as this form of light apparatus is the only one which i can be masked or made to change color sharply on a bearing. i (Signed) James M. Balfour. | Colonial Marine Engineer. In tho memorandum on Mr. Balfour's report, the Chief Harbour Master or Pilot states—with referenco j to lights between Auckland and the Thames, I may state that for tho last eighteen years 1 have continued to urge upon the Government the necessity of placing a light at the Bean Kocks. It may perhapß be argued that because no serious accident occurred that no such light is needed, but my own experience of the navigation of this (Auckland) Harbour (now extending over a period of 23 years) will I think enable me to prove the contrary. If a lighthouse on piles can bo erected on the Sandspit for tho Bum stated by Mr. Balfour, 1 think it would in all respects be preferable to a light-ship. It is very desirable and nocesgary that a light should be placed at Tararu Point to enable vessels to run for Siiortlaud with safety during the long dark winter nights—otherwise some serious accident will occur during the winter months—at which time westerly gales prevail.