SURVEY OF WEST COAST

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1929, Page 14

SURVEY OF WEST COAST

NO SHOALING DISCOVERED ESCARPMENT VISIBLE INLAND. ABSENCE OF DISCOLOURED WATER By Telegraph.—Presa Association. Wellington, July 20. Having completed a close survey of the west coast of the South Island between Mokikinui and Karamea rivers tho Government lighthouse steamer Tutanekai returned to Wellington to-day. No evidence of shoaling was found. Captain Bollons states soundings were taken over an area from the Mokikinui River entrance to the Little Wanganui River to ascertain whether any shoaling off the coast had been caused by earthquakes. The vessel worked, inshore to five fathoms, a quarter of a mile off the beach, and out to nine and ten fathoms u mile off-shore on a mud and sand bottom. The shoal was fqund regular on each tack. Inshore no shoaling or any other change was perceptible although there was sufficient sea and broken water to show any shoal of four fathoms'and under.

When tho ship was abreast of Whitecliffs, where an up-thrust and escarpment ivas plainly visible for three-quar-ters of a mile about 100 hundred yards inshore from high-water mark, careful soundings -were made but no shoaling whatever was found. The ship’s anchor was hanging to a depth from five to seven fathoms.

From tho Little Wanganui River to the Karamea entrance soundings ivere obtained. After passing Karamea on July 17 the master kept the ship close along shore and closely examined the beaches, hills, cliffs and shore line. .

Generally the weather was perfectly clear and with the aid of good glasses all the coast lino features were distinctly visible. Beyond a few small slips, some of which were the usual winter, rain and frost dislodgements, very little indication of earthquake faults was to bo seen.

No shoaling or any discoloured water to indicate shoals was*to be seen. From Westport to Karamea the sea water was of a uniform light muddy colour and from Karamea to Westhaven the surface water was peaty brown.