ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 29, 26 November 1845, Page 1

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

To the Editor cf the "Wellington Independent." SUNKEN ROCK OFF THE KARORI STREAM NEAR TERAWITTE. Sir,—l wish, through the medium- of your journal, to warn Mariners frequenting Cpok's Straits of a dangerous sunken rock not laid down in any chart, and in the direct roifte of vsssels coming to or sailing from Port Nicholson, from the northward or westward. So confident have I been hitherto, of no danger existing, that at all times have I stood boldly in for the heads, when on the voyage from Sydney, and I- have constantly passed near, nay, almost over this rock, without ever having the slightest clue to the existence of the same. On ray lagt toyage from Sydney, we had a most providential escape from bumping on the rock, the Hon. Mr. Petre discoveting it when scarcely a ship's length from the vessel. We pissed so close, that' the Etarboard quarter was almost touching. Tbe bearings of the rock are as follows— Sunken rock bears S.E. by S. by compass from the Seal Rock, about of a m ; le, and taking the Seal Rock and the Reef off Sinclair Head upon a parallel, it will be found about a mile South <.f that line and from 2 to 2£ miles from the main land. The rock is visible about three inches below water at neap tide only, and is apparently a perfect steeple. And here, Mr. Editor, I cannot ayoid abiding to the shameful neglect manifested towards this beautiful country, by the English Government. Near six years have elapsed since New Zealand was proclaimed a British Colony, and yet no attempt has been made, by the authorities, to cause the extensive coast line to be surveyed, and what has been done, has been, generally speaking, performed by private persons. I suppose, till one or two shipwrecks occur, involving a dreadful sacrifice of human life, no attention will be paid to the matter. There is still another subject which ought not to be passed over in silence. It is now five months since the unfortunate wreck of the barque "Tyne," and yet nothing has been done by the Local Government towards the "erection of & Lighthouse at the Heads. Why is this ? Surely this magnificent harbour onght not to be injured in its reputation amongst seafariug men through a false economy. With a Lighthouse, placed as Captain Robertson suggests, on Pencarrow Head, the Harbour would be rendered easy of access at all hours, and in auy weather. Tha Lighthouse must not be erected, howtver, on the high land beyond Pencarrow Head, owing to the fact that, after a hot day, the lofty land is enveloped in mist. Trusting that the inhabitants will no longer remain apathetic on b subjtct no important to themselves, I remain, Sir, Your obedient servant, r ~.-.. -.: ALEXANDER UNTHANK, Master of tho brig " Bee." November 20, 1845.