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Farewell Spit. —Portions of the balcony that had become rotten have been repaired. Telephone Lines to Lighthouses. —Communication has been established between Akaroa Head Lighthouse and Akaroa Township. The following lighthouses are also connected by telephone with the telegraph system of the colony, namely, Tiri Tiri, Taiaroa Head (to signal station), Cape Saunders, and Nugget Point; and I understand that it is shortly proposed to extend it to Earewell Spit Lighthouse. Jackson's Head Beacon. —An iron and timber beacon on the reef off Jackson's Head was completed just after the commencement of the financial year, at a total cost of £691 9s. 4d. This beacon was unfortunately carried away during the gale of the 13th and 14th March last. It is to be remarked, as an indication of the strength of the wind and the heighth of the sea on that occasion, that some cases that had been lying at the foot of the main tram-line at the Brothers Lighthouse ever- since the tower was completed in 1877 were all swept away, together with some oil and coal that had been landed just before the gale came on. This was the gale that did so much damage at Opunake. A sum of money has been placed on the estimates for the purpose of erecting another beacon, Harbours.—There are now Harbour Board Acts in force at twenty-one ports, but, owing to want of funds or other reasons, four of these Boards, namely, Hokitika, Gisborne, Wairoa, and Foxton, do not undertake the management of the harbour and pilot establishments, who have therefore to be paid by the Government, and consequently remain under the control of this department. This practice leads to a divided authority, and is therefore very objectionable. Manukau. —Ten new iron buoys, which were contracted for last year at a cost of £150, have been delivered and placed in position ; "the whole of the buoys have been thoroughly cleaned and overhauled. Kaipara. —The new steam-launch referred to in last report was completed and delivered at Kaipara in June ; she proved to be a very useful vessel for the pilot service. Unfortunately she caught fire at her moorings on the Bth January, and was considerably damaged. An investigation was held as to the cause of the fire, but no evidence could be obtained that gave any clue to its origin. A contract was let for the sum of £289 to repair the lannch; this contract was completed shortly after the end of the financial year, and the launch is again in working order. Arrangements have been made for the lighthouse-keepers to act as signalmen at this station; this effects a considerable annual saving. Mokau. —A survey of the bar and entrance to this river was made at a total cost of £323 6s. 4d. The plan made from the survey has been published, and copies have been sent to the Hydrographer to the Admiralty for his information. Wairau. —The pilot's house being in a very dilapidated condition, plans were prepared and tenders called for the erection of a new house, which is to be situated on a reserve that has just been made near the existing dwelling. Wailapu. —Leading lights have been erected at this port; they are under the management of the County Council, who are paid a fixed sum for maintaining them. Grcymouth and Westport. —By the passing of the Greymouth and Westport Harbour Board Acts of iast session, the control of these harbours was, from the date of the passing of the Acts (6th November, 1884), vested in the Harbour Boards. The practical control was handed over on the 15th December, on which date the Boards held their first meeting. The Boards, having received the reven es derivable from their endowments, &c, from the date of the passing of the Acts, have (since the end of the financial year) refunded the amount expended by this department on the harbours from that date until the 31st December, 1884. Orders in Council. —The following Orders in Council under the provision of the Harbours Acts have been issued during the year 1884-85 : — April 3 : Approving of plans of additions to Queen's Wharf, Wellington. April 3 : Approving of plans of boom across Hikutaia Biver, Thames. April 3 : Licensing B. Blair to use portion of foreshore of Hikutaia Biver for construction of boom. April 25 : Licensing J. L. Campbell to use foreshore at Te Kopuru for erection of wharf. May 13 : Approving of plans of jetty in Pigeon Bay. June 24 : Approving of plans of bridge over Turanganui Biver, Gisborne. August 1: Approving of plans of Southland Frozen Meat Company's works at the Bluff. August 1: Licensing A. Stenhouse to use portions of foreshore of Kaiarara and Wairahi Creeks, Great Barrier Island, for construction of booms. August 5 : Vesting management of Karamea Wharf in Buller County Council. August 5 : Vesting management of Mongonui Wharf in Mongonui County Council. August 5 : Vesting management of Whangaroa Wharf in Mongonni County Council. August 19 : Approving of plans of booms across Oruaiti Biver, Mongonui. August 19 : Licensing Auckland Timber Company (Limited) to use portion of foreshore of Orouaiti Biver for construction of booms. August 29 : Approving of plans of Calliope Dock, Auckland. September 30 : Approving of plans of jetty at Port Levy. October 14: Approving of plans of New Zealand Iron and Steel Company's landing-place, Manukau Harbour. October 14: Licensing New Zealand Iron and Steel Company to use portion of foreshore, Manukau Harbour, for construction of landing-place.

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