THE EARTHQUAKE AT SEA

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1931, Page 12

THE EARTHQUAKE AT SEA

VESSEL TO TAKE SOUNDINGS, OPERATIONS IN HAWKE’S BAY, An important work has been assign-, ed to. the Government lighthouse ship Matai, which is to carry out an extensive series of soundings in Hawke’s Bay to aid the Government geologists and other scientists in their investigation of the causes and effects of the earthquake, and also for the guidance of shipping. The Matai left Wellington at 8 o’clock on Monday night on her usual trip to the northern lighthouses. After having served the lights on her way up the coast, as far as Hawke’s Bay, the Matai will make a cruise from Cape Kidnappers to Portland Island, off the southern end of Mahia Peninsula, where she will land a wireless receiving and transmitting set. On her run from Cape Kidnappers to Portland Island the Matai will carry out a series of soundings, working with hex- echo-sounding apparatus, her ordinary sounding madiine, and, if necessary, her lead all .the way.

From Portland Island the Matai will steam on a direct course to Napier harbour, taking soundings at frequent intervals. She will arrive at Napier on Friday, and there will embark the harbourmaster, Captain H. White-Par* sons, and Dr. Marshall, Government Geologist. The Matai is also carrying in addition to her own company, Captain J. Fraser, R.N., chief staff officer of the Navy Office, who has had considerable experience in marine survey works, Dr. Barnett, of the Scientific and Industrial Research. Department, who has already visited Napier, and Mr. Whiteman, of the staff of the chief telegraph engineer. After leaving Napier the Matai will continue her sounding operations, steaming on any courses in Hawke’s Bay requested by the geologists to test out their theory regarding the origin and seat of the earthquake. It is hoped that the investigations to be made by the Matai will be of great value to the scientists in enabling them to come to some definite conclusions regarding the action of the earthquakes at sea, particularly in Hawke’s Bay. At the same time the series of soundings will be of very great importa .ce in determining to wfiat extent, if any, the sea has shoaled in and- about the bay, while they will also enable any shoal patches to be located and marked on the coastal charts for the guidance of mariners.