2

H.—4

Jackson's Head Beacon. —This beacon was practically completed by the end of the financial year. It consists of a solid tower of concrete, surmounted by a cage of wrought-iron, the top being 49ft. above high-water mark. The total cost of the concrete beacon was £2,488 11s. Id. The bad weather experienced during its construction added very considerably to the cost. Haeboues. —It having been decided by the Government that, in all cases where Harbour Boards are established, the Boards should be required to pay the cost of maintaining the harbour establishments, notice was given to all Boards who received contributions from or whose staff was paid by the Government that such payments would no longer be made. This notice affected the Wairoa, Hokitika, Eiverton, and Waimakariri Harbour Boards. The trade at Opunake, Tauranga, Picton, Catlin's Eiver, Fortrose, and Kaikoura not appearing to justify the continuance of the maintenance of harbour establishments, they have all been abolished. At Eussell arrangements have been made for the harbourmaster to act as Officer in Charge of Customs. Raipara. —A re-survey of the Galatea Channel and the channels and banks at the entrance to the Wairoa, Otamatea, Oruawharu, and Kaipara Eivers has been made by Lieutenant G. F. Smith, E.N., of this department; and a copy of the result of the survey has been sent to the Hydrographer to the Admiralty, in order that the existing charts of Kaipara may be corrected. Hokianga. —Material for the erection of a new signal-house was supplied by the department, and it was erected by the pilot staff. A new boat was also supplied to this station. Mokau Biver. —A further sum of £500 having been voted for continuing the snagging of this river, Mr. Perham and a working party were despatched there in January last; and the work, in so far as the vote lasted, was completed in a satisfactory manner shortly after the termination of the financial year. Mokihmui. —A sum of £100 was expended, under the direction of the Buller County Council, in improving the channel at this river. The work was nearly all completed during the previous financial year, but the money was not paid until the year in respect of which this report is written. Hokitika. —"When the harbour staff was taken over by the Harbour Board arrangements were made whereby the light should be maintained by the Government; but in the meantime arrangements were made for the Harbour Board to continue to maintain the light, the Government paying the Board £100 per annum for so doing. It is now proposed shortly to terminate this agreement, and to bring the charge of the light under the direct control of the department, by which a further saving will be effected. Wairau. —A sum of £200 was expended, under the direction of the Lower Wairau Eiver Board, in improving the navigation of this river. The work was nearly completed during the previous year. Collingwood. —A vote having been taken for the improvement of the channel to the coal-wharf at Eerntown, petty contracts were let under the direction of the officers of the Public Works Department, and the work has progressed favourably. Out of the £300 voted £100 had been paid at the end of the financial year. Akaroa. —A subscription having been raised for the establishment of a lifeboat at this port, a sum of £50 towards same was contributed out of the vote of this department. Orders in Council. —The following Orders in Council under the provisions of the Harbours Acts have been issued during the year : — April 16 : Approving plans of booms on Kaeo and Pupuke Eivers, Whangaroa. April 16 : Licensing Whangaroa Eafting Company to occupy foreshore, Kaeo and Pupuke Eivers, for booms. April 16 : Approving plans of wharf and tramway at Stewart's Bay, Kaiwaka Eiver. April 16: Licensing F. Mander and others to occupy foreshore, Stewart's Bay, Kaiwaka Eiver, for wharf. April 16 : Approving plans of bridge across Grey Eiver at Cobden. April 16 : Approving plans of wharf extension and cranes at Greymouth. April 16 : Vesting wharves at Mahurangi Heads, Matakana Sandspit, Upper Matakana, Puhoi, and Warkworth in Eodney County Council. May 12 : Approving plans of Hobson Street Wharf, Auckland. May 12 : Approving plans of concrete buttresses and rubble apron in front of Quay Street wall, Auckland. May 19 : Approving plans of extension of south breakwater, Greymouth. June 1 : Approving plans of further extension of Awhitu Wharf, Manukau. June 15 : Approving plans of bridge across Waihou Eiver, Hokianga. June 15 : Approving plans of breastwork in Iron Pot, Napier. June 15 : Approving plans of Mr. Sim's wharf, Kaiapoi. July 13 : Approving plans of Taruheru Footbridge, and authorising erection of same. July 20 : Declaring that Devonport Borough Council shall return member to Auckland Harbour Board in lieu of Devonport Eoad Board. July 27 : Approving plans of wharf, Wairoa South. July 27 : Licensing Eutland Turner to occupy foreshore, Wairoa Eiver South, for wharf. August 14 : Approving plans of wharf at Kohukohu. August 14 : Licensing Hokianga County Council to occupy foreshore at Kohukohu for wharf. August 14 : Approving construction of fifty railway-wagons for Westport Harbour Board. August 20 : Approving plans of dolphin for swinging vessels, Evans Bay, Wellington. August 20 : Approving siding at Brunner Eailway-station for Westport Colliery Company. September 1: Approving plans of wharf, Kaipara Eiver. September 1: Licensing Alfred Buckland to occupy foreshore, Kaipara Eiver, for wharf. September 14 : Approving plans of wharf, Motueka.