AUCKLAND HARBOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16498, 26 March 1917, Page 6

AUCKLAND HARBOUR.

PRESENTS DAY CONDITIONS.

OUTGOING. BOARD'S WORK. ' A report dealing .with harbour conditions at the present time and the facilities given to shipping during the two years' term of office of the outgoing Harbour, Board has been prepared by Captain H. H. Sergeant, harbourmaster, on the instruction of the chairman of the board, Mr. H. D. Heather. ;■ The report states that all the rocks and shoals in - the Rangitoto'. Channel have been well and carefully,: marked, and the channel tU well, lighted. As a result, the largest steamers can now ; enter and leave at any time of the night with pefect safety. The minimum :. navigable depth of the channel at low .water, ordinary spring tide, is 31ft 'l 6in. : and :;the - maximum depth ; at,high water '42ft.'' -ri Mention ;is! made of the' fact that,' the Bean Rock light has been ; altered from a fixed oil-burner; to a more powerful flashing unwatched- gaslight, and that ' the ' coloured sectors have been altered ito coyer the shoal waters off Rangitoto and Devonport. ,r A red -flashing; light; beacon has been erected' off ' the Devonport sandspit, and a bright .white light beacon -to .the 'north vof the i; Bastion ; reef. Unlighted beacons have been placed to guard outlying dangers,'and for the guidance of ■ small craft at various points, besides the beacons on the reef off: tile Panmuro Wharf,; off the Tamaki River, and at the bend of the Whau Creek. ■} The channel between Motyitapu and Motuihl to tho explosive anchorape between Brown's Island v and Motuihi has been, carefully marked by buoys. ~ Outlying .dangers in ■ the 'same -vicinity; have also been marked by buoys, , - «;■ Dealing; with the v wharf improvements, tho report states that all the wharves have been well lighted, K with • distinguishing litrhts on the end of each, and at the end of the tido deflector, and suburban wharves. On the' launch landings loading beacons and lights have been- placed. Steps have been erected at the outlying :' and up-river whtrves'.';. and four protected i anchorages for; yachts' have been- provided. It is ipiointed ;out that not ;a' single boat usmg the - approved moorings in ~ these anchorages broke adrift during tho recent heavy gale. -In three of these protected:areas cridirons have :, beon placed ; for ■ the .- free use of yachts and launches. '',',- 'i The ">> board has § installed J a complete system' of time signals on the tower of the Ferries for.:< the s guidance - of ■?;shipping.' These are ; automatically switched off ~from Wellington ;; at •;9';: p.m. ;on 'Tuesdays.; and Fridays. : .' : The report adds that frequent soundings are - taken at '; and around the wharves and in . the harbour, . and any •dredging' that may be found to be necessary is immediately | carried ;. out. There is now berthing accommodation totalling approximately ?:: 1200 ft |. for ocean-going liners drawing 34ft ;of water, whnst there is nearing completion ;an . additional oWtt r with tho samo depth of water.. ■