NEW ZEALAND COASTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3756, 9 March 1926, Page 67

NEW ZEALAND COASTS.

INCOMPLETE SURVEYS. At the Harbour Boards Conference held in the Early Settlers’ Hall on Friday the following remit was submitted by the Whanliarei Harbour Board—“ That in view of the incomplete state of the Dominion’s marine surveys, the Government be urged to arrange with the Admiralty to carry out a complete survey where necessary of the harbours and coast line of New Zealand.” The mover of the remit being absent. Air A.. Cable (Otago), who spoke on his behalf, pointed out that certain of existing charts dated back as far as 1837. and in the interests both of defence and of our mercantile marine it was considered that the Government and Admiralty should cooperate in this much desired and important work, which could be carried out most economically by one or more of the liglifc cruisers now stationed in New Zealand Mr j. Loudon (Otago) said that the Otago Harbour Board was on the eye of spend: .-e a great deal of money on impro-’ing lie entrance to Otago Harbour In view ci this it was decided that a urvoy should be initiated, beginning with the section between Cape Saunders and Moeraki. the Marine Department had been approached with a view to having a proper survey made of the Now Zealand coastline, but had done nothing. This matter, pointed out Mr Loudon, was one of vital interest, and >t was considered that it should be brought before open council for thorough discussion. Colonei G. Mitchell (Wellington) said that whilst recognising the importance of a survey in the locality mentioned by Mr Loudon. he thought that a move should be made towards having a comprehensive survey made of the whole of the coastline of the Dominion. He would heartily support the remit on behalf of the Wellington Harbour Board. Messrs A. G. Bignell (Wanganui) and C. E. Bellringer (New Plymouth) also spoke in favour of the motion. Mr C J. R. Williams (Lyttelton) said that he considered the remit would ue strengthened by the elimination of tse words “the harbours and.” and by confining the survey solely to the coastline. This suggestion was put to the conference ip the form of a motion, which was carried. Captain C. MacDonald (harbourmaster. Otago Harbour) said that the survey of thus Now Zealand coast had been a very vexed question, especially to those who knew the many traps and currents which abounded. The whole of the coast of the South Island was sadly in need of a survey. especially as regarded currents, which were a severe problem, and were a great drawback to the harbours. Particularly was this so in the case of Otago Harbour, and without a thorough survey the proposed harbour improvements could not be gone on with. In the South Island, we had a great asset in the West Coast fiords, and if they were charted, they would undoubtedly become one of the beauty spots in the world. It was necessary that the community as a whole should nrge the necessity for a thorough charting of the coastline of the Dominion. Captain S. J. Plummer (Tokornaru Bay). said that he had had some experience of survey work, and instanced a case where, in a survey of Auckland Harbour, he had discovered a rock in the fairway of the Matuihihi Channel which was covered only by fathoms of water. This locality had previously been surveyed by the Penguin. It was most essential that a full survey of the whole of New Zealand’s coast should be embarked on. and it was a significant fact that many of the most dangerous rocks around the coast were named after the ships which had been wrecked on them. Mr G. C, Godfrey (Secretary of Marine) said that because some of the charts dated back a fairly long time, it was not the case that all of them were out of date. There was a good deal of misapprehension regard ing the navy in this matter. It had been suggested that the sloops Veronica and Lab urnum would be suitable for survey work, but it had to be remembered that such ships carried a crew of 100 men, which would put a survey out of question by reason of the great expense of running them. In an interview, Commodore Beal had expressed his interest in the matter and had said that the Admiralty would probably lend a survey ship which would have t.o be maintained by the Dominion. A survey by such a ship, the commodore pointed out. would probably take 20 years, and would cost, roughly, £50,000 annually. Mr J. M'O Dickson, M.P. 9aid that they were up against a stiff propostion, and the mere passing of the remit would by no means bring the scheme to finality. It was aho necessary for harbour boards to obtain the hearty co-operation of all members of Parliament, who were also repro sontativos on the boards and to keep the matter before them. Caotain M*Arthur said that it must be admitted that the work done in coast survey in the early days was really marvellous, but the currents and tides on the coast of New Zealand were a severe trial. lie was in heart.v accord with the remit. Mr Williams (Lyttelton) suggested that the question of cost mentioned by Mr Godfrey need not dismay them—at tho worst the harbour boards could contribute to it. Col. Mitchell vigorously disagreed with this and pointed out that the affair was purely a national one The remit was carried unanimously.