A.—No. 1.
20
DESPATCHES EROM THE GOVERNOR OE NEW
7349, 29th Sept. 18G8.
Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 9. Memorandum by Mr. Balfour. Light on Cape Saunders. Marine Department, Wellington, Oth November, ISGS. With regard to the paragraph in the letter from His Honor the Superintendent of Otago, of number and date as per margin, which runs as follows:—"I am told that in the most recently published " Admiralty Chart, Sheet IX. of New Zealand, a light is represented as being actually fixed upon Cape " Saunders," .... I have the honor to report:— 1. I could scarcely credit the statement at first, as the London Agent for the Colony has, I understand, instructions to send copies of every new edition of every chart as soon as published, and such new editions have hitherto been very punctually received ; but we have received no copy of the edition of Sheet IX. showing a light on Cape Saunders. 2. I made special inquiries into this matter when in Duncdin, and the Harbourmaster assured me that the " Salamander," auxiliary screw steamer, had a set of the latest charts on board, and that he had himself seen " Light building" marked on Cape Saunders on the copy of Sheet IX. of New Zealand on board that vessel. 3. I am at a loss to imagine on what authority this statement was made : true a light apparatus intended for Cape Saunders has been in the Colony for years, but I cannot discover that any official intimation of the intention to erect a lighthouse there was ever forwarded to England, whereas full information was sent as to the lights actually erected. I would suggest that when the attention of the Admiralty be called to this error, they be at the same time asked what was the ground of making it, and assured that timeous notice will always be officially forwarded as to any lights in progress. 4. I beg to recommend that the attention of the Home Agent be called to the circumstance that a more recent edition of one of the more important New Zealand charts has come to this country in a trading vessel, than any he has forwarded. He need not now forward that particular issue, as a newer one, showing the Hydra Rock, &c, will probably be at once issued, but he will easily see that.serious consequences might result if the Colonial Government are not at once supplied by post with one or two copies of every fresh issue, leaving the bulk of the number for which there is a standing order to come out by first sailing vessel. 5. There is certainly a light " proposed" to be erected on Cape Saunders ; but as it has been decided first to erect a light on Nugget Point, it may be a long time before anything is done at Cape Saunders. This is not the place to give the reasons for the change ; but it ought to be generally known that the lights of Dunedin can be seen a long way to seaward when the weather is reasonably clear, and ought greativ In assist strangers in ascertaining their true position. James M. Balfoub, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Colonial Marine Engineer.
Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 9. Memorandum of Lights in progress in New Zealand. 1. Nugget Point. — The light will be erected on the mainland, on the outermost knob, which is about 230 feet high ; the light will be 2-10 to 250 feet above the sen, and will thus be visible about twenty-two nautic miles. The light will be a dioptric fixed white light of the first order, illuminating an arc of about 225°. 2. Cape Campbell. —The light will be erected on the last knoll, which is about 97 feet high ; the light will 06 about 140 to 150 feet above the sea, and will thus have a range of eighteen to nineteen nautic miles. The light is to be a dioptric revolving white light of the second order, attaining its greatest brilliance once a minute. It will be allowed to show as far round as the form of the land will allow. 3. Farewell Spit. —The lighthouse will be in the vicinity of " Bush End," and will be about 100 feet high. The light will be 110 to 120 feet above the sea, and will therefore be visible for about sixteen nautic miles. The apparatus is to be the same as that for Cape Campbell, and the period also one minute ; but it is proposed to make the light change from white to red over the end of the bank, to show vessels that they are approaching the danger. 4. Manukau. —A sixth order dioptric apparatus is intended to be erected on the South Head, at Manukau, as a harbour light. It is not intended to encourage vessels to enter at night, but merely to show the position of the entrance, so as to prevent vessels, and notably mail steamers, from overrunning their distance in the night. All the lanterns and optical apparatus for these lights have been ordered, and drawings of the towers, &C., are now complete and ready for tendering on. When the works have made good progress so that it may be possible to tell more accurately the probable date when the light will be exhibited, more correct and minute information as to their positions and peculiarities will be furnished. Jajiks M. Balfour, "Wellington, N.Z., 6th November, 18G8. Colonial Marine Engineer.
No. 10. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. F. Bowbn, G.C.M.G., to His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. (No. 121.) Government House, Wellington, My Loud Duke, — New Zealand, 2nd December, 1868. With reference to your Grace's Despatch No. 101, of the Ist September