MARINE SURVEY WORK.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11476, 6 February 1905, Page 5

MARINE SURVEY WORK.

(Per United Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, February 4.

Information has been received in Auckland that the New Zealand Government has given notice to the captain of H.M.S. Penguin, engaged on marine survey work in New Zealand waters, dispensing with the further services of that vessel. 'lt is assumed among shipping people that the Government propose to continue the uncompleted surveys itself, in the h6pe of saving' expense. The 1 Penguin, which now 'lies in Auckland Harbour, has been -engaged for the past five 1 years making a survey of tho coast of New Zealand, and has been receiving from, the- New Zealand Government an annual payment of ,£SOOO. At the time when the Penguin took up the work it was found that none of our existing charts were accurate. The previous survey had- been done by' H.MJ3. Challenger, about 40 years ago, and tiince that time considerable changes had evidently taken place .in the bottoms of harbours. The notice to discontinue the services of the Penguin seems to have' come suddenly and without previous warning, and it has 1 besn followed by 1 an intimation from the Admiralty that in consequence of the Government's decision the Penguin./m.ust proceed to Sydney at the end of the -present month, pay off there, and return, to England. The Penguin will next be put on survey work at Solomon Islands,- on behalf of ,t;lie .Admiralty.